In the wake of the tragic events in the USA the European Commission has put forward a proposal for a "Framework Decision on combating terrorism" which is being discussed today at the special meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Brussels.

An analysis of the proposal would appear to show that the intention is to extend the definition of "terrorism" to cover public order situations.

Tony Bunyan, Statewatch editor, comments:

"The response of the EU to the tragic events in the US needs to be examined with great care. The definition of terrorism is very similar in its scope to the UK Terrorism Act which is drawn so wide as to endanger legitimate
dissent.

The European Commission proposal on combating terrorism is either very badly drafted, or there is a deliberate attempt to broaden the concept of terrorism to cover protests (such as those in Gothenburg and Genoa) and what it calls "urban violence" (often seen by local communities as self-defence). If it is intended to slip in by the back door draconian measures to control political dissent it will only serve to undermine the very freedoms and democracies legislators say they are protecting"

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