Torn by climate change, food insecurity, uncontrolled population growth, political instability and terrorism, the Sahel poses an evolving threat on Europe’s doorstep, as the August coup in Mali has once again shown. With more or less success, the EU’s strategy for the region has tried to address the multiple factors of instability but the new action plan for the region will need to take the EU’s and Africa’s new geopolitical interests on board if it is to be more successful than its predecessor

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding the EU Strategy for the Sahel

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.&nbsp;Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon.

EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

The action plan to reinforce the fight against the financing of terrorism focuses on two main strands of action: tracing terrorists through financial movements and preventing them from moving funds or other assets and disrupting the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, by targeting their capacity to raise funds.

In April the European Parliament adopted a new regulation that will target content such as texts, images, sound recordings or videos, including live transmissions, that incite, solicit or contribute to terrorist offences, provide instructions for such offences or solicit people to participate in a terrorist group. It will also cover material that provides guidance on how to make and use explosives, firearms and other weapons for terrorist purposes.

Hosting service providers will have to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content in all member states within one hour of receiving a removal order from the competent authority. Member states will adopt rules on penalties, the degree of which will take into account the nature of the breach and the size of company responsible.

Fight against terrorism

In a November plenary vote Parliament demanded&nbsp;a robust and multifaceted approach to combat all forms of racism and discrimination, including structural and institutional racism, in the EU.

In a resolution&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemned&nbsp;that minorities and migrants, including LGBTQI persons, face structural racism, discrimination, hate, sustained inequalities, difficulties in accessing the justice system, and violence by the police.

As reported by the 2019 Eurobarometer, over half of Europeans believe that racial discrimination is widespread in their country, with “Being Roma” (61% of respondents), “Ethnic origin” (59%) and “Skin colour” (59%) being the top three grounds for discrimination.

On 18 September 2020, the European Commission published its communication “A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025”. Concretely, the Action Plan calls for better enforcement of EU law; closer coordination, including through the appointment of a Coordinator for Anti-racism; the adoption of national action plans against racism and racial discrimination; more efforts in preventing discriminatory attitudes by law enforcement authorities; and increased diversity of staff in the EU institutions. Equality is one of the fundamental values on which the EU is founded.

It is duly reflected in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. International agreements, such as the European Convention on Human Rights also prohibit discrimination on various grounds, with limited exceptions in justified cases. With regard to the fight against racism and xenophobia, the main EU instrument is the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law. This framework decision harmonises criminal definitions and sanctions.&nbsp;

Fight against racism and xenophobia

Nearly all European countries have been affected by terrorism in one form or another and tackling it has never been easy.

 
The attacks in Nice, Brussels and Paris demonstrated once again the challenge of finding a rapid and effective response to those who would destroy us, while safeguarding our freedom and way of life. In the unfolding battle against terror, Parliament has an active role to play.

Fight against terrorism - 8th parliamentary term

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.

Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon. EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/fight-against-terrorism-8th-parliamentary-term_2802_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Fight against terrorism (2019-2020)

The Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) was set up in July 2017 and started its work in September 2017 to evaluate how to better fight terrorism. The two co-rapporteurs Ms Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE) and Ms Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE) together with the other TERR Members presented a final report to address the practical and legislative deficiencies in the fight against terrorism. Their recommendations show a way to overcome these deficiencies and to improve the fight against terrorism in the European Union. Meanwhile, the DALTON report asks Internet companies to remove terrorist content within one hour after receiving an order from the authorities to combat radicalisation and contribute to public security.

#EUelections2019 - Fight against terrorism

After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs discuss how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries.

MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Ceremony for the victims of November 13th attacks

EP Plenary session -  Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the islamist attacks of 13 November 2015 in Paris

EP Plenary session - Voting session

European, German, French and Croatian flags at half-mast in Brussels and in Strasbourg, as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia

EP Plenary session - Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea

EP Plenary session - Protecting the EU budget and ensuring that EU funds do not benefit entities or individuals linked to terrorist or Islamist movement

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Islamist terrorist attack on French schools and the need to protect people and promote social cohesion

European, Swedish and Belgian flags at half-mast at the EP headquarters in Brussels, following the attack in Brussels

European and Belgian flags at half-mast at the EP headquarters in Strasbourg, following the attack in Brussels

Moment of remembrance to pay tribute to the victims of acts of terrorism with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

EP Plenary session - Terrorist threats posed by far-right extremist networks defying the democratic constitutional order

SEDE Subcommittee - Exchange of views with Ilkka SALMI, new EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

Ceremony conferring an honorary degree in European and International Studies to Antonio Megalizzi, University of Trento: - Press Point by David SASSOLI, EP President.

Plenary Session - The situation in Sri Lanka, in particular the arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act

EP Plenary session - Preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online

European and Italian flags at half-mast as a tribute to Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca ATTANASIO following his assassination

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with the parents of Giulio REGENI, young Italian killed in Egypt.

One round of political group speakers commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Paris islamist attacks of 13 November 2015.

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the islamist attacks of 13 November 2015 in Paris: one round of political group speakers

The President of the European Parliament Roberta METSOLA gives an opening statement on the commemoration the 10th anniversary of the islamist attacks of 13 November 2015 in Paris (France). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the 10th anniversary of the islamist attacks of 13 November 2015 in Paris

MEPs vote on the situation in Colombia after the wave of recent terrorist attacks/

Voting session: Situation in Colombia after the wave of recent terrorist attacks

The 21st European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism takes place in Strasbourg on the 11th of March. The event honors the victims of terrorism across Europe and promote solidarity against extremism. The aim of the Remembrance Day event is to increase awareness and support for victims of terrorism, fostering unity and resilience across EU Member States. Speech by Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery. By courtesy of TF1. No access to French Territory

21st European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism: speech by Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic

The 21st European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism takes place in Strasbourg on the 11th of March. The event honors the victims of terrorism across Europe and promote solidarity against extremism. The aim of the Remembrance Day event is to increase awareness and support for victims of terrorism, fostering unity and resilience across EU Member States. Speech by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery. By courtesy of TF1. No access to French Territory

21st European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism: speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

The 21st European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism takes place in Strasbourg on the 11th of March. The event honors the victims of terrorism across Europe and promote solidarity against extremism. The aim of the Remembrance Day event is to increase awareness and support for victims of terrorism, fostering unity and resilience across EU Member States. Introduction to the tree ceremony by Magnus BRUNNER, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration and minute of silence. By courtesy of TF1. No access to French Territory

21st European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism: opening, tree ceremony and minute of silence

European, German, Croatian and French flags at half-mast in front of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France, and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia.

European, German, Croatian and French flags at half-mast in front of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg for the victims of the attack in Magdeburg, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte and the knife attack in Zagreb

EP President Roberta METSOLA opens the plenary session mentioning the sixt anniversary of the 2018 terrorist attack at the Christmas market of Strasbourg, where journalists Antonio Megalizzi and Bartosz Orent-Niedzielsk were killed. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the sixth anniversary of the 2018 terrorist attack at the Christmas market of Strasbourg

Commission statement on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: MEPs debate

Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Commissioner Ylva JOHANSSON opens the plenary debate on the reintroduction of internal border controls in the Schengen area and its impact on EU free movement. The recent decisions taken by Germany and other Schengen members to reinstate checks have sparked concerns about the future of the Schengen zone.

The reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of Member States and its impact on the Schengen Area: Opening statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, opens the plenary session in Strasbourg, speaking about the 20th year anniversary of the Madrid attacks. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the 20th year anniversary of the Madrid attacks

This news item shows extracts from the MEPs debate on the terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel's right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Parliament advocates peace in the territory. Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, give a statement during the debate.

The despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel's right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza: extracts from the debate

On 11 October, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, lead MEPs and Parliament’s staff in a ceremony to remember victims of the terrorist attacks in Israel. During her speech, she said that Europe stands ready to help broker resolutions. MEPs debate the terrorist attacks of Hamas against Israel with Council and Commission in the hemicycle.Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and opening statements by José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel's right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza: opening statements

On 16th October 2023, two Swedish citizens are killed by a terrorist in Brussels. The next day, in the hemicycle, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Political groups speakers pay tribute to the victims and asks MEPs to hold a minute of silence.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, one round of political group speakers, and minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the Brussels attack

Following the shooting in Brussels on 16th October and the death of two Swedish citizens, the Swedish, Belgian and European flags are put half-mast in front of the EP buidings in Brussels and Strasbourg. Roberta Metsola, EP President, pays tribute to the victims and MEPs hold a minute of silence.

Tribute to the victims of the Brussels attack: Swedish, Belgian and European flags at half-mast in Brussels and Strasbourg and statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and minute of silence

This news item shows extracts from the signature of 3 COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, and by José Manuel ALBARES, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council. "Fishing in the GFCM Agreement Area", the digital information exchange in terrorism cases "CTR", alignment with Union rules on the protection of personal data "Alignment Directive"

LEX signing ceremony: signature of 3 COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

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