Council Decision (EU) 2018/889 of 4 June 2018 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism

What it is

to approve, on behalf of the Union, the conclusion of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (CETS No. 196). ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (CETS No. 196) was signed by the Union on 22 October 2015, subject to its conclusion. Article 23 of the Convention provides that the latter is open for the approval of the European Union. Following the sixth ratification, of which four were by Member States of the Council of Europe, Convention No. 196 came into force on 1 June 2007. As of 21 February 2017, 23 EU Member States have ratified the Convention, and all EU Member States have signed it. Article 23 of the Convention provides that the latter is open for the approval of the European Union. Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council established common Union rules on combatting terrorism. Consequently, the Union has already adopted measures in different areas covered by the Convention. The Convention should therefore be approved on behalf of the Union as regards matters falling within the competence of the Union in so far as the Convention may affect those common rules or alter their scope. The Member States retain their competence in so far as the Convention does not affect common rules or alter the scope thereof. CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, the Council is called on to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, as regards matters falling within the competence of the Union. Territorial application : Convention No. 196 shall be binding and apply in all EU Member States with the exception of Denmark. It shall be binding and apply in the United Kingdom only insofar as this Member State notifies the Council of its wish to take part in the adoption and application of this instrument. Ireland shall be bound by Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and is therefore to take part in the adoption of this Decision. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism. The committee recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the draft Council decision. The draft Council Decision seeks the approval, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (CETS No. 196) signed by the European Union on 22 October 2015, as regards matters falling within the competence of the Union. Convention No. 196 introduces criminal offences related to terrorism, for which the Union has competence based on Article 83(1) TFEU. It aims to enhance the efforts of the parties in preventing terrorism and its negative effects on the full enjoyment of human rights, both by measures taken at national level and through international co-operation. The European Parliament adopted by 544 votes to 47, with 10 abstentions, a…

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