LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) -
EU states agreed on Friday on tight
laws against incitement to terrorism in order to clamp down on
militant groups' use of the Internet.
EU justice and interior ministers also agreed in Luxembourg
on an action plan to try to stop groups getting explosives.
Police say the Internet has taken on huge importance for
militants, enabling them to share know-how, plan operations and
spread propaganda to a mass audience.
"The Internet is used to inspire and mobilize local
terrorists ... functioning as a virtual training camp," a text
agreed by ministers said.
"Each member state shall take the necessary measures to
ensure that terrorist-linked offences include ... public
provocation to commit a terrorist offence, recruitment for
terrorism, training for terrorism."
States may also consider attempts to train and recruit as
terrorist offences, but are not obliged to do so, an EU
official said.
Spain's secretary of state for justice, Julio Perez
Hernandez, welcomed the move.
"The battle to anticipate (terrorist acts) is crucial for
Spain," he told reporters. "One should not wait for smoke to
know there is terrorism."
In an effort to assuage civil rights campaigners, the law
says that the new measure may not be used to restrict freedom
of expression and freedom of the press.
Before entering into force, the law still needs to be
confirmed by ministers after a number of national parliaments
have discussed it.
A European Commission official said countries like Spain
and Italy already punish public provocation to terrorism but
others, like Scandinavian countries, would have to change their
legislation to apply the new EU text.
Under the plan to enhance the security of explosives,
ministers agreed to establish an early-warning system on stolen
explosives and detonators by the end of the year.
They also agreed to create by the year-end a "European Bomb
Data System" that would give police and governments permanent
access to information on incidents involving explosive devices.
(Reporting by Ingrid Melander; Editing by David Brunnstrom
and Richard Meares)
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