Anti-terror law: there is no freedom without security

Today, the European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee will vote on a new Directive about EU nationals who travel abroad for terrorism purposes, after the European Parliament and EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs negotiators have reached a provisional agreement.

EPP Group MEP Monika Hohlmeier has been representing the European Parliament as Chief Negotiator, being in favour of the agreement.

“There's no freedom without security. Travelling abroad for terrorist purposes, training or being trained, incitement to terrorism or financing terrorist activities will be made a crime in all EU Member States. This is a very comprehensive framework which implements UN and Financial Action Task Force Directives in the fight against terror”, Hohlmeier stressed.

The provisional agreement introduces high standards of human rights, data protection and press freedom. Prevention against radicalisation is also part of this new EU law.

The Directive will also provide for victim support: “Victims of terror have the right to receive psychological, physical and financial help. Compensation will be made the victims' right. EU countries will be obliged to introduce an efficient coordination system that provides information in the immediate aftermath of a terror attack", concluded the German MEP.

Today's committee vote is the culmination of a series of negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs. This means that this provisional agreement still has to get their approval.