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Fight against terrorism – definitions of terrorist crimes and support to victims
Fight against terrorism – definitions of terrorist crimes and support to victims
Fight against terrorism – definitions of terrorist crimes and support to victims
Directive (EU) 2017/541 on combating terrorism
It aims to adapt EU law to fight terrorism in light of evolving terrorist threats and taking into account the international nature of terrorism.
It establishes minimum rules concerning the definitions of offences and related sanctions in this area.
It also introduces measures of protection, support and assistance for victims.
It replaces Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA as the cornerstone of the EU countries’ criminal justice response to counter terrorism, and amends parts of Decision 2005/671/JHA on the sharing of information and cooperation concerning terrorist offences.
Definition of terrorist offences
The directive provides an exhaustive list of serious offences that EU countries must classify as terrorist offences in their national law when they are committed or there is a threat to commit them for a particular terrorist aim.
Terrorist aims are described as any of the following:
Related offences
The list of terrorist offences which EU countries must also punish as criminal offences, even if a terrorist offence was not effectively committed, is extended to cover:
General features
These include:
Support for victims
It has applied since 20 April 2017. EU countries have to incorporate it into national law by 8 September 2018.
Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA (OJ L 88, 31.3.2017, pp. 6-21)
Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union — Title I — Common provisions — Article 6 (ex Article 6 TEU) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 19)
Directive 2014/42/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union (OJ L 127, 29.4.2014, pp. 39-50)
Successive amendments to Directive 2014/42/EU have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Directive 2013/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 August 2013 on attacks against information systems and replacing Council Framework Decision 2005/222/JHA (OJ L 218, 14.8.2013, pp. 8-14)
Council Decision 2005/671/JHA of 20 September 2005 on the exchange of information and cooperation concerning terrorist offences (OJ L 253, 29.9.2005, pp. 22-24)
See consolidated version.
Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA of 13 June 2002 on combating terrorism (OJ L 164, 22.6.2002, pp. 3-7)
See consolidated version.
last update 20.02.2018