During the plenary session (10-13/12/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on the final report of its Special Committee on Terrorism, calling for a self-standing portfolio for the Commissioner for “Security Union” and urging member states to strengthen cooperation and swiftly share information when the threat level increases. Statements by Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Teresa JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES), Caterina CHINNICI (S&D, IT), Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA RUIZ (ALDE, ES) and Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR).

Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on Terrorism: extracts from the debate and illustrative shots

SOUNDBITE (German), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), <p>We are calling for all technical standards to be applied and they must, at some point in time, be improved and be so good, that the exchange of information is so good, that we can in the longer term, have a system where by the default position is where we exchange information. We also have to extend extra powers to Eurojust. At the same time we also have to make sure that we put all the hate preaches on a black list. </p>

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE), What I would like to do is to talk about various different measures that are dealt with in the report. Hate, preaches and foreign funding of mosques is a problem. So, I think, we should have a European black list, for hate preaches. So they can not just simply go from one country to the next preaching their hate. I think we need to ensure that this is stopped, third countries funding of mosques should be made illegal because they are part of the problem.

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Our latest Security Union progress report published earlier today, gives a full update on all the ongoing work that we are pursuing. There are three areas where we need to maintain momentum. First, we need a priority to deliver outstanding security proposals, for example on the interoperability before the end of this Parliament's mandate. Second, we need to ensure that we enforce measures for what have already been agreed, for example, on the passenger name records (PNR) and on the counter-terrorism directive. Third, we need to continue to built our resilience on issues such as protecting our elections and tackling disinformation where we have called on the bigger internet platforms to live up to their commitments, as well as practical issues such as better protecting public spaces.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Teresa JIM&#201;NEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES), I would like to dedicate this report to all the victims of terrorism in Europe and I would like to recall my brother and sister in law who were killed by ETA terrorist organisation.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Teresa JIM&Eacute;NEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES), This report requires more effective strategy. We need to ensure that the European society, which itself is a victim of terrorism, can be protected. They want to destroy our freedom and our values. So we should engage in prevention and defend our citizens, unflinchingly, with greater police and judicial cooperation.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Caterina CHINNICI (S&amp;D, IT), In order to effectively counter this phenomena, tackling financing is important, as is the flow of the information between responsible European authorities. But above and beyond that, over the last few months we have tried to come with the response to the concerns of the European citizens who are calling for a greater security and, particularly, to the victims of attacks. And that is why we are suggesting that there will be a special status for the victims of terrorism which would recognise their specific needs. 

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Maite PAGAZAURTUND&#218;A RUIZ (ALDE, ES), We need to improve the evaluation of our instruments for combating radicalisation. And we need to improve in an orderly manner the prevention, a counter narrative and the local work.

SOUNDBITE (French), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), We are tracing down a growing number of people including those who may well intend to carry out and attack. Suspicion is not the best way of preventing an attack from happening. Furthermore, there is no such a thing as a hierarchy among fundamental rights. We can not have second-class citizens or a generation with different rights. This is what seems to be happening and we refuse to stigmatise certain sectors of the society. Democracy is a balance between security and fundamental rights protection. We will not vote in favour of this report.

Illustrative shots of Police controls at the crossroads area (7 shots)

Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on Terrorism: extracts from the debate and illustrative shots

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