Evaluation of the Directive on combating terrorism

Key points

The EESC:

• concludes from the evaluation of Directive 2017/541 that its relevance and usefulness are widely recognised by the civil society organisations and public authorities that were consulted, and calls on the Commission to pursue its strategy and develop it further
• calls on the Commission to anticipate – to the extent possible – new movements that could use terrorist methods and new techniques that may be used to commit terrorist acts.
• supports the aim of devoting the time and resources necessary to ensure high-quality training for frontline workers and volunteers in the fields of prevention, intervention in places where acts of terrorism have been committed, assistance to victims and monitoring individuals who have been involved in terrorist movements, by including practical exercises in these training courses and by promoting their role.
• notes that while victims' associations are developing collaborative European networks, the fate of foreign victims is a real concern, given the significant differences between arrangements for providing assistance and judicial procedures in the EU, especially in terms of victims having access to the necessary information in their own language.
• draws attention to the need to ensure that special recognition is given to victims of terrorism, to act quickly to meet their immediate needs for information and essential resources, to provide adequate assistance with psychological trauma and any disability victims may have suffered and to provide for judicial and administrative procedures that take their specific situation into account.
• suggests that the Commission and the Member States hold regular formal meetings with organisations, businesses and associations involved in the fight against terrorism, the to help them understand their role in the fight against terrorism and to build consensus on the overall strategy.