Combating terrorism. Framework Decision

The Council reached political agreement, subject to parliamentary scrutiny reservations by three delegations (Sweden, Denmark and Ireland), on the Framework Agreement on combating terrorism. To recall, when defining terrorist aims, the Council opted for a wording that strikes a balance between the need to punish terrorist offences effectively and the need to guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms, ensuring that the scope could not in any circumstances be extended to legitimate activities, for example trade union activities or anti-globalisation movements. Regarding penalties for terrorist offences, the Council, in accordance with the common guidelines established at its meeting on 16 November, agreed on a provision requiring custodial sentences of a maximum length of at least 15 years to be imposed for directing a terrorist group and at least 8 years for the other offences relating to terrorist groups specified in the Framework Decision. Other terrorist offences would be punished by heavier sentences than those attracted by ordinary law offences under the Member States' national law. In view of these important amendments, the Council believes that it should be submitted to the European Parliament for a new consultation.�