Torn by climate change, food insecurity, uncontrolled population growth, political instability and terrorism, the Sahel poses an evolving threat on Europe’s doorstep, as the August coup in Mali has once again shown. With more or less success, the EU’s strategy for the region has tried to address the multiple factors of instability but the new action plan for the region will need to take the EU’s and Africa’s new geopolitical interests on board if it is to be more successful than its predecessor

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding the EU Strategy for the Sahel

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.&nbsp;Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon.

EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

The action plan to reinforce the fight against the financing of terrorism focuses on two main strands of action: tracing terrorists through financial movements and preventing them from moving funds or other assets and disrupting the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, by targeting their capacity to raise funds.

In April the European Parliament adopted a new regulation that will target content such as texts, images, sound recordings or videos, including live transmissions, that incite, solicit or contribute to terrorist offences, provide instructions for such offences or solicit people to participate in a terrorist group. It will also cover material that provides guidance on how to make and use explosives, firearms and other weapons for terrorist purposes.

Hosting service providers will have to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content in all member states within one hour of receiving a removal order from the competent authority. Member states will adopt rules on penalties, the degree of which will take into account the nature of the breach and the size of company responsible.

Fight against terrorism

In a November plenary vote Parliament demanded&nbsp;a robust and multifaceted approach to combat all forms of racism and discrimination, including structural and institutional racism, in the EU.

In a resolution&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemned&nbsp;that minorities and migrants, including LGBTQI persons, face structural racism, discrimination, hate, sustained inequalities, difficulties in accessing the justice system, and violence by the police.

As reported by the 2019 Eurobarometer, over half of Europeans believe that racial discrimination is widespread in their country, with “Being Roma” (61% of respondents), “Ethnic origin” (59%) and “Skin colour” (59%) being the top three grounds for discrimination.

On 18 September 2020, the European Commission published its communication “A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025”. Concretely, the Action Plan calls for better enforcement of EU law; closer coordination, including through the appointment of a Coordinator for Anti-racism; the adoption of national action plans against racism and racial discrimination; more efforts in preventing discriminatory attitudes by law enforcement authorities; and increased diversity of staff in the EU institutions. Equality is one of the fundamental values on which the EU is founded.

It is duly reflected in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. International agreements, such as the European Convention on Human Rights also prohibit discrimination on various grounds, with limited exceptions in justified cases. With regard to the fight against racism and xenophobia, the main EU instrument is the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law. This framework decision harmonises criminal definitions and sanctions.&nbsp;

Fight against racism and xenophobia

Nearly all European countries have been affected by terrorism in one form or another and tackling it has never been easy.

 
The attacks in Nice, Brussels and Paris demonstrated once again the challenge of finding a rapid and effective response to those who would destroy us, while safeguarding our freedom and way of life. In the unfolding battle against terror, Parliament has an active role to play.

Fight against terrorism - 8th parliamentary term

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.

Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon. EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/fight-against-terrorism-8th-parliamentary-term_2802_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Fight against terrorism (2019-2020)

The Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) was set up in July 2017 and started its work in September 2017 to evaluate how to better fight terrorism. The two co-rapporteurs Ms Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE) and Ms Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE) together with the other TERR Members presented a final report to address the practical and legislative deficiencies in the fight against terrorism. Their recommendations show a way to overcome these deficiencies and to improve the fight against terrorism in the European Union. Meanwhile, the DALTON report asks Internet companies to remove terrorist content within one hour after receiving an order from the authorities to combat radicalisation and contribute to public security.

#EUelections2019 - Fight against terrorism

After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs discuss how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries.

MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

European, German, French and Croatian flags at half-mast in Brussels and in Strasbourg, as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia

EP Plenary session - Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea

EP Plenary session - Protecting the EU budget and ensuring that EU funds do not benefit entities or individuals linked to terrorist or Islamist movement

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Islamist terrorist attack on French schools and the need to protect people and promote social cohesion

European, Swedish and Belgian flags at half-mast at the EP headquarters in Brussels, following the attack in Brussels

European and Belgian flags at half-mast at the EP headquarters in Strasbourg, following the attack in Brussels

Moment of remembrance to pay tribute to the victims of acts of terrorism with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

EP Plenary session - Terrorist threats posed by far-right extremist networks defying the democratic constitutional order

SEDE Subcommittee - Exchange of views with Ilkka SALMI, new EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

Ceremony conferring an honorary degree in European and International Studies to Antonio Megalizzi, University of Trento: - Press Point by David SASSOLI, EP President.

Plenary Session - The situation in Sri Lanka, in particular the arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act

EP Plenary session - Preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online

European and Italian flags at half-mast as a tribute to Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca ATTANASIO following his assassination

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with the parents of Giulio REGENI, young Italian killed in Egypt.

EP Plenary session - EU Security Union Strategy - MEPs debate

LIBE - EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home AffairsSecurity Dialogue on the recent terrorist attacks and the ways to combat terrorism - Presentation and exchange of views with Ylva JOHANSSON,  European Commissioner for Home Affairs

EP Plenary session - Fighting Terrorism and the right to freedom of expression and education

Antonio TAJANI, EP President opens the EP plenary session (2-3 May 2018) in Brussels. He expresses his condolences to victims of religious persecution, in particular to those recently murdered in the Philippines and the Central African Republic. He also condemned the recent attacks in Kabul and Kandahar.

Introductory remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, during the plenary session

During the EP plenary session (16- 19 April 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss on money laundering and terrorist financing. Statements by Krišjānis KARIŅŠ (EPP, LV), Co-rapporteur, Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL), Co-rapporteur, and Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality. Illustrative pictures

Money laundering or terrorist financing: extracts from the debate

This Infoclip illustrates person using virtual currency platform, person stocking and handling works of art and person sourcing pre-paid cards online.

Infoclip: Anti-money laundering & countering terrorism financing: with infographics

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, speaks to the press about the European Council.

Press conference by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, on the European Council (22-23 March 2018) (16:12 - 16:18)

Following the hearing on Protecting the rights of victims of terrorism in the EP TERR Committee in the EP in Brussels, Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE, FR), Chair of the Special Committee on Terrorism, Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, and Philippe VANSTEENKISTE, Director of V-Europe speak too the press.

Press point by Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE, FR), Julian KING, Member of the EC, and Philippe VANSTEENKISTE, Director of V-Europe following the hearing on Protecting the rights of victims of terrorism

On the eve of the commemoration of the Brussels and London attacks of 22 March 2016 and 2017 respectively, the Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) holds a public hearing to pay tribute to victims of terrorism and discuss how to ensure that their rights are properly protected in the EU, in the EP in Brussels. Statements by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

Hearing on Protecting the rights of victims of terrorism in the EU: extracts from the opening remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

During the EP plenary session (28/02-01/03 2018), MEPs debate and vote on ways for cutting the sources of income for Jihadists - targeting the financing of terrorism. Statements by Javier NART (ALDE, ES) and Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union.

Cutting the sources of income for Jihadists - targeting the financing of terrorism: extracts from the debate and extracts from the vote

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, opens the EP plenary session (28/02-01/03 2018) in Brussels. Statements about terrorist kidnapping of students girls by Boko Haram and the attack of Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE) by Bulgarian Nationalists

Introductory remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President: terrorist kidnapping of students girls by Boko Haram and the attack of Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE) by Bulgarian Nationalists

During the meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), MEPs vote on cutting the sources of income for Jihadists - targeting the financing of terrorism. The results are: 55 in favour, 5 against and 1 abstention. Statement by Javier NART (ALDE, ES)

Cutting the sources of income for Jihadists - targeting the financing of terrorism: extracts from the vote and statement by Javier NART (ALDE, ES)

This infoclip illustrates a Police checkpoint in Strasbourg: installation of a checkpoint on a city bridge, vehicles and pedestrians control.

Infoclip: Police checkpoints

During the meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in Brussels, MEPs vote on new rules to better equip EU countries to freeze and confiscate criminal assets across the EU. Part of a package aimed at strengthening the fight against financing terrorism and organised crime, the draft legislation would also allow national authorities to temporarily freeze assets that are at risk of suddenly being moved, if no action is taken. Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE, FR), Rapporteur, expresses herself.

Mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders: extracts from the vote and statement by Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE, FR), Rapporteur

Meeting of the Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) with Sir Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, in the EP in Brussels.

Exchange of views with Sir Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union: extracts from the meeting of the Special Committee on Terrorism

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, expresses himself in front of the MEPs on terrorist attack in Marseille, on&nbsp;&nbsp;Las Vegas mass shooting, on&nbsp;Canada attack, during the EP plenary session (2-5 October 2017) in Strasbourg.&nbsp;Minute of silence.

Introductory remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, on on terrorist attack in Marseille, on  Las Vegas mass shooting, on Canada attack- Minute of silence

During the constituent meeting of the new special committee on terrorism (TERR) in Strasbourg,&nbsp;MEPs vote (12/09) and elect the Chair, Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE,FR) and statement

Constituent meeting of the new special committee on terrorism (TERR): extracts from the vote (12/09), from the constituent meeting and election of the Chair, Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE,FR) and statement  

During the EP plenary session (11-14 September 2017) in Strasbourg,&nbsp;Antonio TAJANI, EP President, expresses himself and MEPs make one minute of silence for&nbsp;the victims of terrorist attacks in Barcelona (17/08), in Helsinki (21/08) and of hurricane Irma.

Introductory remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President (extracts): minute of silence for the victims of terrorist attacks in Barcelona (17/08), in Helsinki (21/08) and of hurricane Irma

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, expresses himself on the occasion of the15th G7 Speaker&rsquo;s Meeting in Rome.&nbsp;Family photo with Anthony Rota, Assistant Deputy Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, Fran&ccedil;ois de RUGY, French Speaker, Norbert Lammert, President of the Bundestag, Laura Boldrini President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Tadamori OSHIMA, Japanese Speaker, John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom), Antonio TAJANI, EP President

15th G7 Speaker’s Meeting in Rome: final statement by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

Live Replay of Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, expresses himself on the Ninth progress report towards an effective and genuine Security Union, during the meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in the EP in Brussels.

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