#Terrorism - MEPs propose new measure to tackle the threat

The special committee on terrorism was set up in July 2017 to evaluate how the fight against terrorism could be improved. Its findings and recommendations will be discussed by MEPs during the December plenary in Strasbourg.

Co-operation and information sharing

Given its international character, fighting terrorism requires a strong coordinated response and rapid information-sharing by EU countries.

“There are still gaps in the exchange of information between member states, technical gaps in the interoperability," said German EPP member Monika Hohlmeier, one of the report authors. "If we want to boost the information exchange, Europol and Eurojust must be strengthened and used as information hubs."

Belgian ECR member Helga Stevens, one of the other report authors, highlighted the issue of decryption “Forced decryption is very hard for smaller member states because it requires a lot of technical and human resources. I propose to give Europol authority to specialize in decryption, so they can assist member states. That would give prosecutors and police access to messages on WhatsApp and messenger for example. Right now it is quite difficult, social media companies refuse to give access to the courts."

Better protecting the EU's external borders
Some recent terrorist attacks have demonstrated major failures in European border controls. The report urges EU countries to invest in up to date ICT equipment to allow proper checks against databases, stresses the need to use biometric data and highlights the importance of ensuring the inter-operability of databases.

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Preventing radicalization

The main drivers of radicalization include radical content on social media, books and audio-visual media, as well as contact with radicalized people, hate preachers and prisons . The report calls for legislation forcing companies to remove terrorist content online within one hour and report regularly on this type of content.

“We have to guarantee the exchange of best practices, how to solve integration,” said Hohlmeier.

Stevens stressed the need for a EU-wide list of hate preachers, because now they can operate undetected, particularly if they move from one EU country to another.

Terrorism financing

In order to tackle the financing of terrorism, the report also calls for better traceability of art and antiques, especially from conflict zones, as well as better monitoring of financial flows. This should include identifying users of electronic wallets, prepaid cards, crowdfunding platforms and mobile payment systems. Another requirement is to make mosques and other religious institutions more transparent about their funding, especially if there are concern it could come from authoritarian countries.
"All religious institutions should be transparent and show where the funding is coming from, so authorities can check if necessary," said Stevens.Other measures

The report also urges EU countries to better protect critical infrastructure, such as electricity or gas grids, and develop effective response strategies. It also calls for stricter rules against illicit firearms trafficking and preventing the purchase of chemicals to manufacture explosives. In 2015 and 2016 explosives were used in 40% of attacks while the most commonly used one is TATP, which can be manufactured easily at home.

The report calls on the European Commission to put forward legislation clarifying the status of terrorism victims, their rights and levels of compensation.