Activities of Ana GOMES related to 2015/0281(COD)
Plenary speeches (2)
Combating terrorism (debate) PT
Combating terrorism (debate)
Amendments (37)
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The terrorist threat has grown and rapidly evolved in recent years. Individuals referred to as "foreign terrorist fighters" travel abroad for terrorism purposes. Returning foreign terrorist fighters pose a heightened security threat to all EU Member States. Foreign terrorist fighters have been linked to several recent attacks or plots, including the attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015. In addition, the European Union and its Member States face increased threats from individuals inspired or instructed by terrorist groups abroad but who remainand within Europe.
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Considering that the internet is being used for terrorist propaganda and recruitment, Member State should take appropriate measures for flagging illegal content on the internet and facilitating the detection of such content, and cooperate with each other, with Europol, namely by providing information on suspicious individuals or organisations to Europol's databases SIENA and EIS and to the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, and other relevant Union agencies, as well as with civil society organisations active in this field.
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Taking account of the evolution of terrorist threats and legal obligations to the Union and Member States under international law, the definition of terrorist offences, including offences related to a terrorist group and offences related to terrorist activities, should be further approximated in all Member States, so that it covers more comprehensively conduct related to in particular foreign terrorist fighters and terrorist financing. These forms of behaviour should be punishable also if committed through the Internet, including social mediawhile respecting the principle of proportionality, with regard to the legitimate aims pursued and to the necessity of criminalisation and fighting impunity in a democratic society.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The offenses related to public provocation to commit a terrorist offence act may comprise, inter alia, the glorification and justification of terrorism or the dissemination of messages or images including those related to the victims of terrorism as a way to gain publicity for the terrorists cause or seriously intimidating the population, provided that such behaviour causes a danger that terrorist acts may be committed. To strengthen action against public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, Member States may take measures to remove webpages publicly inciting to commit terrorist offences. Such measures should be taken after adequate control by the judicial authority, in order to guarantee their proportionality and the full respect of fundamental rights and procedural safeguards.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Considering the seriousness of the threat and the need to in particular stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, it is necessary to criminalise the travelling abroad for terrorist purposes, being not only the commission of terrorist offences and providing or receiving training but also to participate in the activities of a terrorist group. Any act of. The act of travelling should be criminalised only when the terrorist purpose of the travel is proven by objective circumstances and facilitation of such travel should also be criminalised.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Terrorist financIn a coherent manner with Directive 2015/849/EU on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, terrorism funding should be punishable in the Member States and cover the financing of terrorist acts, the financing of a terrorist group, as well as other offences related to terrorist activities, such as the recruitment and training, or travel for terrorist purposes, with a view to disrupti financing of any action enabling terrorist offences. Any physical or legal person sanctioned for terrorism financing shall be allowed to challenge the support structures facilitating the commission of terrorist offences. Aiding and abetting relevant decision rapidly and effectively before attempting terrorist financing should also be punishablen independent authority.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Given the convergence or collaboration between organised crime and terrorist groups, fighting against organised crime should be part of any strategy in the fight against the financing of terrorism.
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Furthermore, tThe provision of material support for terrorism through persons engaging in or acting as intermediaries in the supply or movement of services, assets and goods, including trade transactions involving the entry into or exit from the Union should be punishable in the Member States, as aiding and abetting terrorism, as aiding and abetting terrorism, smuggling of cultural heritage items, or as terrorism financing if performed with the knowledge that these operations or the proceeds thereof are intended to be used, in full or in part, for terrorist purposes or will benefit terrorist groups.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The attempt to travel abroad for terrorist purposes, shouldMember States may punish the attempt to travel outside the Union when such a travel results, from objectives circumstances, to be punishable, as well as the attempt toequivocally directed to commit terrorist acts or receiving or provideing training and recruitment for terrorismt purposes.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) With regard to the criminal offences provided for in this Directive, the notion of intention must apply to all the elements constituting those offences. The intentional nature of an act or omission mayshould be inferred from objective, factual circumstances.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Furthermore, pPenalties should be provided for natural and legal persons having committed or being liable for such offences, which reflect the seriousness of such offences.
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Jurisdictional rules should be established to ensure that the terrorist offences of cross-border nature may be effectively prosecuted. In particular, it appears necessary to establish jurisdiction for the offences committed by the providers of training for terrorism, whatever their nationality, in view of the possible effects of such behaviours on the territory of the Union and of the close material connexion between the offences of providing and receiving training for terrorism.
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) To ensure the success of investigations and prosecution of terrorist offences, offences related to a terrorist group and offences related to terrorist activities, those responsible for investigating and prosecuting such offences shall have the possibility to make use of effective investigative tools such as those used in combating organised crime and other serious crimes. Such tools should be proportionate to the nature and gravity of the offences under investigation. In order to ensure the respect of the fundamental rights and freedom and the presumption of innocence and effective procedural safeguards, the use of such investigative tools should always be subject to the control of a judicial authority, and mass surveillance should never be allowed. Every individual should dispose of effective remedies to challenge any violation of his fundamental rights.
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15 b (new)
Recital 15 b (new)
(15b) In order to prevent and combat terrorism, a closer cross-border cooperation among the competent national authorities is needed with regard to timely exchange of relevant information from court records or other available sources on detainees and persons who are or have been subject to criminal proceedings or assets freezing.
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Member State should adopt specific measures of protection, support and assistance responding to the specific needs of victims of terrorism, further qualifying and deepening the rights already contained in the Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and the Council28 . Victims of terrorism are those defined in Article 12 of the Directive 2012/29/EU, in relation to terrorist offences as referred to in Article 3. The measures to be taken by Member States should ensure that in the event of a terrorist attack, the victims of terrorism will obtain emotional and psychological support, including trauma support and counselling, and any relevant legal, practical or financial information and advice. __________________ 28 Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA of 15 March 2001(OJ L 315, 14.11.2012 p. 37).
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Member States should co-operate among each-other to ensure that access to information about the victims' rights, about available support services and about accessible compensation schemes is provided to all victims of terrorism. Moreover the Member States should ensure that victims of terrorism have access to a long-term support services in the country of their residence, even if the terrorist offence took place in another EU country.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) Repressive measures should be complemented by long-term policies to prevent the radicalisation and recruitment by terrorist organisations. Strategies on social inclusion, education, local support for families and policies tackling discrimination and exclusion to stop vulnerable individuals joining violent extremist organisations, as well as the provision of effective exit-programmes and exit-strategies, are crucial to countering terrorism and to promote deradicalisation.
Amendment 185 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Given that the objectives of this Directive cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States unilaterally and can therefore, because of the need for European-wide harmonised rules, be better achieved at the level of the Union, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on the European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article 5, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) This Directive respects the principles recognised by, in accordance with Article 2 and 6 of the Treaty on the European Union, respects fundamental rights and freedoms and observesthe European Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and other relevant obligations under international law, should not have the effect of requiring Member States to take measures arbitrarily or unnecessarily limiting fundamental rights and freedoms and the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, including those set out in Chapters II, III, V and VI thereof which encompass inter alia the right to liberty and security, freedom of expression and information, freedom of association and freedom of thought conscience and religion, the general prohibition of discrimination in particular on grounds of race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, the right to respect for private and family life and the right to protection of personal data, the principle of legality and proportionality of criminal offences and penalties, covering also the requirement of precision, clarity and foreseeability in criminal law, the presumption of innocence as well as freedom of movement as set forth in Article 21(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Directive 2004/38/EC. This Directive has to be interpreted and implemented in accordance with these rights and principles.
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The implementation of the criminalisation under this Directive should be proportional to the nature and circumstances of the offenceach case, with respect to the legitimate aims pursued and to their necessity in a democratic society, and should exclude any form of arbitrariness or discrimination.
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Theis Directive should replaces Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA29 for the Member States bound by this Directive. __________________ 29 As amended by Council Framework Decision 2008/919/JHA of 28 November 2008 amending Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA (OJ L 330, 9.12.2008, p. 21).
Amendment 205 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Directive establishes minimum rules concerning the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the area of terrorist offences, offences related to a terrorist group and offences related to terrorist activities, as well as specific measures of protection of and assistance and support to victims of terrorism.
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) undusing violence or the threat of violence to illegally compelling a Government or international organisation to perform or abstain from performing any act,
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following acts, when committed intentionally and unlawfully, are punishable as a criminal offence:
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4a Humanitarian organisations Humanitarian activities undertaken by internationally recognised humanitarian organisations shall not be considered as contributing to the criminal activities of the terrorist groups.
Amendment 249 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the distribution, or otherwise making available, of a message to the public, with the clear intent to incite the commission of one of the offences listed in points (a) to (h) of Article 3(2), where such conduct, whether or not directly advocating terrorist offences, causes a substantial and imminent danger that one or more such offences may be committed, is punishable as a criminal offence when committed intentionally and unlawfully.
Amendment 259 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5a Fundamental principles relating to freedom of expression 1. This Directive shall not have the effect of requiring Member States to take measures in contradiction to fundamental rights and principles, especially those relating to freedom of thought and expression, in particular for the press and other media, as they result from fundamental principles governing the rights and responsibilities of, and the procedural guarantees for, the press or other media where these rules relate to the determination or limitation of liability. 2. Nothing in this Directive should be interpreted as being intended to reduce or restrict the dissemination of information for scientific, academic or reporting purposes. The expression of radical, polemic or controversial views in the public debate on sensitive political questions, including terrorism, falls outside the scope of this Directive and, in particular, of the definition of public provocation to commit terrorist offences.
Amendment 280 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – title
Article 9 – title
Travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism
Amendment 283 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that travelling to another country for the purpose of the commission of or contribution to a terrorist offence referred to in Article 3, the participation in the activities ofoutside the Union which is not that of traveller's nationality or residence, directly or by transiting through one or several Member States, for the purpose of the commission of or contribution to a terrorist groupoffence referred to in Article 43, or the providing or receiving of training for terrorism referred to in Articles 7 and 8 is punishable as a criminal offence when committed intentionally.
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – title
Article 10 – title
Organising or otherwise facilitating travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism
Amendment 330 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that inciting an offence referred to in Articles 3 to 14 is made punishable when it provokes the commission of, or the attempt to commit, one of those offences.
Amendment 338 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. In line with Directive 2014/42/EU, Member States should provide for the freezing and confiscation of assets used to commit or resulting from the commission of the offences laid down in this directive.
Amendment 343 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) provides the administrative or judicial authorities with information which they would not otherwise have been able to obtain, helping them to:
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) freezing and confiscation of assets used for or resulting from the commission of one of the criminal offences laid down in this directive, as provided by Directive 2014/42/EU.
Amendment 360 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 a (new)
Article 21 a (new)
Article 21a Fundamental rights and principles 1. This Directive shall not have the effect of altering the obligation to respect fundamental rights and principles enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Articles 2 and 6 of the Treaty on European Union, as well as in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and International humanitarian law, and shall be implemented and interpreted in accordance with these rights and principles. 2. Any restriction to fundamental rights and freedoms must be provided for by the law and be necessary and proportionate for the aim pursued. 3. Any person whose fundamental rights and freedoms have been violated in the exercise of counter-terrorism powers or the application of counter-terrorism law shall have the right to a speedy, effective and enforceable judicial remedy.
Amendment 377 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall ensure that measures are available to protect victims of terrorism and their family members, in accordance with Directive 2012/29/EU. With this regard, in the course of criminal proceedings particular attention shall be paid to the risk of intimidation and retaliation and to the need to protect the physical and mental integrity of victims of terrorism, including during questioning and testifying.
Amendment 398 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 23 – paragraph 1
Article 23 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that their competent authorities cooperate among each other to ensure access to information for victims of terrorism who are residents of a Member State other than that one where the terrorist offence was committed. The access to information shall include in particular information about the victims' rights, available support services and accessible compensation schemes. Compensation should be granted to the victims for their participation in the criminal proceedings.