European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EU fight against crime
Understanding EU counter-terrorism policy
Faced with a persistent international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism. Continue reading
Terrorist content online: Tackling online terrorist propaganda [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy Podcast]
Dissemination of terrorist content is one of the most widespread and most dangerous forms of misuse of online services in the field of internal security. In line with the 2015 European agenda on security and taking into account the impact of this propaganda on the radicalisation, recruitment and training of terrorists, the European Commission launched a voluntary system for tackling terrorism online, based on guidelines and recommendations. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: The fight against terrorism [Policy Podcast]
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. Continue reading
Combating terrorism [EU Legislation in Progress]
In December 2015, the European Commission presented a proposal for a directive on combating terrorism, aimed at updating the current framework on criminalising terrorist offences and at bringing EU legislation into line with international developments, such as the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 and the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism. Continue reading
The European Commission at mid-term: State of play of President Juncker’s ten priorities
Written by Etienne Bassot and Wolfgang Hiller, At a time when, more than ever, citizens expect the European Union institutions to address their concerns and deliver on promises and commitments made, this analysis provides an overview of the work carried out by the European Commission at the mid-term of its current mandate, notably in the … Continue reading
Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Jana Valant (4th edition), In the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks, in November 2015 the European Commission presented a package of measures aiming to tighten control on the acquisition and possession of firearms in the European Union, improve traceability of legally held firearms and enhance cooperation between Member States, as well as … Continue reading
The Juncker Commission’s ten priorities: State of play at the start of 2017
Written by Étienne Bassot and Wolfgang Hiller, More than two years since Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker took office on 1 November 2014, having presented the ten priority areas that would serve as his Commission’s guiding lines for the following five years, the European Commission is now approaching the midway point of its mandate. Building on the … Continue reading
Counter-terrorist sanctions regimes: Legal framework and challenges at UN and EU levels
Written by Carmen-Cristina Cîrlig, Targeted sanctions against individuals and entities suspected of supporting terrorism are an important part of the United Nations Security Council’s counter-terrorism programme. Under the main counter-terrorist sanctions regimes created under Chapter VII of the United Nations (UN) Charter, UN member states are obliged to impose an asset freeze, travel ban and … Continue reading
EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking
In recent years, wildlife trafficking has reached unprecedented levels, and global demand for wildlife and related products has increased. Whereas existing EU-level legislation is considered sufficient to combat illegal wildlife trade, the action plan calls for more stringent law enforcement. Continue reading
Foreign fighters – Member State responses and EU action
Written by Piotr Bąkowski and Laura Puccio, As the hostilities in Syria and Iraq continue, and terrorist activities worldwide appear to be on the rise, EU Member States are increasingly confronted with the problem of aspiring and returning ‘foreign fighters’. Whereas the phenomenon is not new, its scale certainly is, explaining the wide perception that … Continue reading
‘Foreign fighters’ – Member States’ responses and EU action in an international context
Written by Piotr Bakowski and Laura Puccio As the hostilities in Syria and Iraq continue and terrorism activities worldwide seem to be on the rise, EU Member States are increasingly confronted with the problem of aspiring and returning ‘foreign fighters’. Whereas the phenomenon is not new, its scale certainly is, which explains the wide perception … Continue reading
Foreign fighters and European responses
In the light of the terrorist attacks in Paris in January 2015, the spotlight has fallen on the phenomenon of foreign fighters. These radicalised citizens of EU member states pose a threat to security, having been trained to fight and hardened against Western values in the war zones of Syria and Iraq. The phenomenon can be traced further … Continue reading
La confiscation des produits du crime dans l’UE
2 language versions available in PDF format English version: Confiscation of the proceeds of crime in the EU German version: Einziehung der Erträge aus Straftaten in der EU La confiscation des avoirs d’origine criminelle est nécessaire à la prévention et à la lutte contre la criminalité organisée. À l’échelle internationale, des conventions des Nations Unies et du … Continue reading
Download the EPRS App
