The EU and counter-terrorism [Topical Digest]

Terrorism poses a threat to states’ and citizens’ security as well as to the values, rights and freedoms of democratic societies. The terrorist threat is increasingly cross-border and diverse, which requires the adaptation of the current EU counter-terrorism framework and improving cooperation among Member States, including in the exchange of data. The EU information systems for border management and security play a crucial role in this respect. This Topical Digest offers a sample of recent publications and graphics, produced by the European Parliamentary Research Service, on developments in EU security and counter-terrorism policies.

The 751 Members of the European Parliament represent EU citizens’ interests on an extremely wide range of, often complex, policy issues. To help them in their work, the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) provides independent, objective and authoritative analysis of and research on these issues. As Members’ time is very limited, and the amount of analysis available sometimes overwhelming, EPRS publishes short Topical Digests of published material whenever an issue arrives at the top of the policy agenda.
In 2017 this included providing digests to coincide with High-Level Conferences organised by Parliament’s President, Antonio Tajani (EPP, Italy), on topics such as EU relations with Africa, clean energy for Europe, and tourism. A digest of analytical material was also prepared for the European Week of Regions and Cities, as well as for the Social Summit in Gothenburg. Other major issues which warranted a digest of coverage during the year include developments in EU security and counter-terrorism policies and tax avoidance and tax evasion in the wake of the Paradise and Panama papers scandals. Digests were also prepared on EU development policy, and the EU’s relations with the Western Balkans. EU policy on sport, and the EU disability strategy complete this year’s collection of handy guides to EPRS publications – designed with Members of the European Parliament in mind, but available to everybody.

EU Legislation in progress: Directive on combating terrorism
Briefing by Sofija Voronova, September 2017
A growing terrorist threat has triggered action at European and international level. Faced with home-grown terrorism and the ‘foreign fighters’ phenomenon, the EU is seeking to reinforce its counter-terrorism arsenal. The Directive on combating terrorism, which entered into force in April 2017, extends the current framework for criminalisation of terrorist offences. 

Interoperability of European information systems for border management and security
Briefing by Costica Dumbrava, June 2017
The collection, processing and sharing of data using new technologies is becoming central to EU border management and internal security. In 2016, the European Commission launched a reflection process on how to improve and develop EU information systems for border management and security. One key dimension of this process is to make the various information systems more interoperable, so as to allow the simultaneous consultation and automatic interconnection of data.

European information systems in the area of justice and home affairs: an overview
In-depth Analysis by Costica Dumbrava, May 2017
This publication provides an overview of the existing and proposed European information systems in the area of justice and home affairs. It discusses the legal basis, the purposes, the scope of data and access, the utilisation and the proposed changes for each information system, including issues of interoperability.

EU Legislation in progress: Revision of the Schengen Information System for law enforcement
Briefing by Costica Dumbrava, March 2017
In December 2016, the Commission adopted a package of proposals to respond more effectively to new migration and security challenges. One of these is focused on improving and extending the use of the SIS in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The package also includes a proposal to revise the rules of the SIS in the field of border checks, and another concerning a new role for the SIS in the return of illegally staying third-country nationals. 

Cost of Non-Schengen: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Aspects
Study by Wouter van Ballegooij et al., September 2016
This study identifies the costs of the (temporary) reintroduction of border controls between the Schengen Member States, with a special focus on civil liberties, justice, and home affairs aspects. It recommends more concerted action at EU level, with a view to returning to a fully functioning Schengen Area.

Download this Topical Digest on ‘The EU and counter-terrorism‘ in PDF.

Further reading

EU Legislation in progress: Revision of the Schengen Information System for border checks
Briefing by Costica Dumbrava, March 2017
EU Legislation in progress: Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons
Briefing by Nikolina Šajn, June 2017
EU Legislation in progress: Revision of the Fourth Anti-Money-Laundering Directive
Briefing by Angelos Delivorias, June 2017
Public expectations and EU policies – Fight against terrorism
Briefing by Piotr Bakowski, Gianluca Sgueo, Alina Dobreva, July 2016
Counter-terrorist sanctions regimes: Legal framework and challenges at UN and EU levels
Briefing by Carmen-Cristina Cirlig, October 2016
Justice against sponsors of terrorism: JASTA and its international impact
Briefing by Patryk Pawlak and Carmen-Cristina Cirlig, October 2016
Foreign fighters – Member State responses and EU action
Briefing by Piotr Bakowski and Laura Puccio, March 2016
ISIL/Da’esh and ‘non-conventional’ weapons of terror
Briefing by Beatrix Immenkamp, May 2016
Counter-terrorism funding in the EU budget
Briefing by Gianluca Sgueo, April 2016
Radicalisation and counter-radicalisation: A gender perspective
Briefing by Anita Orav, Rosamund Shreeves and Anja Radjenovic, April 2016
Religious fundamentalism and radicalisation
Briefing by Anita Orav, March 2015
Understanding definitions of terrorism
At a Glance by Patryk Pawlak, November 2015
Understanding jihad and jihadism
At a Glance by Sebastian Kusserow and Patryk Pawlak, May 2015

More in the Graphics Warehouse

Terrorism related arrests, attacks and deaths

Public expectations and EU commitment on the fight against terrorism

Visit the European Parliament page on ‘The EU’s fight against terrorism‘.