Europarådets pressekorrespondent i de nordiske lande
Arne Madsen
Bremerholm 6, 4., DK-1069 København K
Tlf. +45 33 14 15 84, Fax +45 33 15 54 84, E-mail: [email protected], Internet: www.coe.int
E-mail / FAX
Til: Redaktionen
Dato: 4. maj 2005. Antal sider (inkl. denne): 2
Three major conventions adopted by the Council of Europe
Strasbourg, 03.05.2005 – The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers today adopted three major
conventions concerning the fights against terrorism and trafficking in human beings. These three treaties will
be opened for signature by Council of Europe member states at the Summit of Heads of State and
Government to be held in Warsaw on 16 and 17 May 2005. The convention texts will soon be available on
www.coe.int
Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism
The Council of Europe has adopted this new convention to increase the effectiveness of existing international
texts on the fight against terrorism. It aims to strengthen member states’ efforts to prevent terrorism and sets
out two ways to achieve this objective:
- by establishing as criminal offences certain acts that may lead to the commission of terrorist offences,
namely: public provocation, recruitment and training
- by reinforcing co-operation on prevention both internally (national prevention policies), and internationally
(modification of existing extradition and mutual assistance arrangements and additional means).
The convention contains a provision on the protection and compensation of victims of terrorism. A
consultation process is planned to ensure effective implementation and follow up.
Council of Europe Convention on laundering, search, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds from
crime and on the financing of terrorism
The Council of Europe decided to update and widen its 1990 convention to take into account the fact that not
only could terrorism be financed through money laundering from criminal activity, but also through
legitimate activities.
This new convention is the first international treaty covering both the prevention and the control of money
laundering and the financing of terrorism. The text addresses the fact that quick access to financial
information or information on assets held by criminal organisations, including terrorist groups, is the key to
successful preventive and repressive measures, and, ultimately, is the best way to stop them.
The convention includes a mechanism to ensure the proper implementation by parties of its provisions.
Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings
The aim of this convention is to prevent and combat the trafficking in human beings in all its forms, namely
national or international, whether or not it is linked with organised crime.
A first fundamental principle outlined in detail in the new convention is that the protection and promotion of
the rights of the victims shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority,
property, birth or other status.
The main added value of this convention is its human rights perspective, its focus on victim protection and
its independent monitoring mechanism guaranteeing parties’ compliance with its provisions.
