Karamanou (PSE).
– (EL) Mr President, Mr Watson’s report confirms that the European Union
is powerless and has painted itself into a corner in its fight against the
ever-increasing phenomenon of terrorism. It is powerless both because terrorism
has changed shape and is now backed up by modern technology and funds and
because there is little judicial and police collaboration on the part of the
Member States and no common legislative framework.
In Greece, a new anti-terrorism law was
passed in May 2001 in a bid to systemise and up the ante in the fight against
terrorism without violating fundamental rights and the principles of the rule
of law. However, combating terrorism, be it in Greece or Spain, is a matter for
the European Union as a whole. The Charter of Fundamental Rights should be used
as a reference point for any new initiative. In other words, under no
circumstances should increased criminal activities by terrorist groups be used
as an alibi, be it at national or European level, for taking measures which are
incompatible with the rule of law and democratic principles.
However, in the case of terrorist
offences, the Council should immediately abolish formal extradition procedures
and adopt the principle of mutual recognition of decisions on criminal matters,
including pre-judgment decisions, as proposed in the report. In addition to
these measures, it also makes a great deal of sense to prevent terrorism through
education, social and other policies to encourage citizens, especially young
people, to value dialogue and reject all forms of violence.