The names of the two rapporteurs on the European Parliament's special committee on terrorism were revealed on Thursday 5 July. Their work remit was resumed in a draft report that the committee members will be requested to approve in November. After nine months of work, based on hearings and visits on the ground, the rapporteurs, Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, Germany) and Helga Stevens (ECR, Belgium), indicated that the report responds to the observations they made in the field and puts forward a raft of recommendations.
In the report, the two women particularly highlight the difficulties experienced by member states in exchanging appropriate information between one another, such as certain data for which exchanges are not yet automatic. The transposition of European tools is also uneven between the member states and some countries that appear less concerned by the terrorist threat are transposing the texts in this connection more slowly.
In 2016, 40% of attacks or terrorist acts were perpetrated through the use of explosives: current legislation on controlling purchases of dangerous substances is insufficient, according to the two MPs who criticise the fact that the member states still have the possibility of applying different rules.
For the victims of terrorism, the report demands that the state - which should be responsible, because “these are attacks against states” - ensures that victims are completely compensated. The EPP MEP is proposing that there is, “a European Coordination Centre for victims of terrorism, automatic and appropriate compensation, as well as single European website in all EU languages”.
On the question of the financing of terrorism, the Belgian MEP said that they ought to relaunch the idea of a European TFTP, as well as a banking transaction surveillance programme such as the one between the EU and US. This idea has been mooted for a long time when terrorist acts have been committed but has never seen the light of day.
The report also considers that Europol is a key actor and can become a genuine information exchange and cooperation centre in the fight against terrorism at an EU level, with a strengthened mandate, if necessary.
The draft report also tackles the migration phenomena and, “urges the member states to invest in quality technological equipment on all borders crossed, in an effort to enable relevant checks by using all appropriate databases”. The report also mentions the question of radicalisation, particularly online hate speech. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)