Posted by
Darko Trifunovic on Friday, April 25, 2008 3:42:44 PM
EU justice and interior ministers also
agreed in Luxembourg
on an action plan to try to stop groups getting explosives. Police say the
Internet has taken on huge importance for militants, enabling them to share
know-how, plan operations and spread propaganda to a mass audience. "The
Internet is used to inspire and mobilize local terrorists ... functioning as a
virtual training camp," a text agreed by ministers said. "Each member
state shall take the necessary measures to ensure that terrorist-linked
offences include ... public provocation to commit a terrorist offence,
recruitment for terrorism, training for terrorism." States may also
consider attempts to train and recruit as terrorist offences, but are not
obliged to do so, an EU official said.
Spain 's secretary of state for
justice, Julio Perez Hernandez, welcomed the move. "The battle to
anticipate (terrorist acts) is crucial for
Spain ," he told reporters.
"One should not wait for smoke to know there is terrorism." In an
effort to assuage civil rights campaigners, the law says that the new measure
may not be used to restrict freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
Before entering into force, the law still
needs to be confirmed by ministers after a number of national parliaments have
discussed it. A European Commission official said countries like
Spain and
Italy already punish public
provocation to terrorism but others, like Scandinavian countries, would have to
change their legislation to apply the new EU text. Under the plan to enhance
the security of explosives, ministers agreed to establish an early-warning
system on stolen explosives and detonators by the end of the year. They also
agreed to create by the year-end a "European Bomb Data System" that
would give police and governments permanent access to information on incidents
involving explosive devices.