arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

EU reached political agreement on the framework dicision on combatting terrorism. During a meeting of the EU Commission on 6-7 december a political agreement was reeches in the framework decisision on combatting terrorism. The commisionaries portrait these new laws as an ideal defence against the threath of terrorism. Some people, however, have different thoughts on this issue. Some believe that the practice of these laws will make civil action more difficult. They state that the framework dicision makes it possible to label any civil disobediance as 'terrorist activities'. Once defined as an 'act of terrorism', the action can be punished harder than most crimes. But how does one become a terrorist? According to the commission, two conditions have to be fulfilled, before an action can be defined as terrorist. First of all the action has to have the intent to change the structure of this society and its institutions (this includes corporations, companies...). Secondly one of the following laws has to be violated. But the laws also include the possibility to judge 'supporters of terrorist organisations' as terrorists. But the laws on terrorism will not only bring higher punishment for activists, it has other consequences as well. First of all, it gives new means to the police forces. Because terrorists are known to be far more dangerous than other criminals, the police will recieve more possibilities to fight them. But the new decision is only one of elements in a much bigger framework. It will bring new laws with it, precedents. All over Europe lawyers have started a campaign to counter the effects of these laws. They have started a petition against the framework decision. More info can be found here.