Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the specific  Programme Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism, for the Period 2007-2013. General Programme Security and Safeguarding Liberties (COM(2005) 124 final — 2005/0034 (CNS))
Date: 2005-12-14
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: ESC opinion, action programme, civil defence, exchange of information, fight against crime, organised crime, religious fundamentalism, terrorism

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Council Decision
establishing the specific ‘Programme Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of
Terrorism, for the Period 2007-2013. General Programme Security and Safeguarding Liberties’

(COM(2005) 124 final — 2005/0034 (CNS))

(2006/C 65/13)

On 25 July 2005, the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under
Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for the Committee's
work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 14 November 2005. The rapporteur was Mr Cabra de Luna.

At its 422nd plenary session, held on 14 and 15 December 2005 (meeting of 14 December 2005), the
European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 126 votes, with ten absten-
tions.

1. Introduction

Terrorism also highlight
terrorism.

the Union's approach to fighting

The Commission has forwarded to the Council and the
1.1
European Parliament its Proposal for a Council Decision estab-
lishing a framework programme on Security and Safeguarding
Liberties, comprising two instruments: a specific programme
Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism,
and another, Prevention of and Fight against Crime, both for the
period 2007-2013. The framework programme is consistent
with the Commission's intention to support the development
of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice under the 2007-
2013 financial perspectives by extending this to cover citizen-
ship, thus placing the traditional concept of Justice and Home
Affairs (JHA) within a wider context, in line with the United
Nations' new approach to Human Security involving ‘a broader,
for security’ (1). This innovation is
more comprehensive concept
extremely interesting and represents an important step towards
establishing a concept of security shared by all social players.
The added value of this framework programme is provided by
its European dimension, which enables the generation of syner-
gies between European and national fields of action.

The Commission insists that

1.2
in Europe, citizenship,
freedom, security and justice must be developed in parallel and
on an equal basis, with a balance between the principles of
democracy and respect for human rights, fundamental liberties
and the rule of law. The Union is gradually increasing its activ-
ities in this field: beginning with the Vienna Action Plan (2) and
following the lines of action of the Tampere European Council
of 1999, the Union has been responding through legislation
and financial support programmes. Furthermore, these lines of
action were clarified in the Treaty on European Union and the
Hague Programme, adopted by the European Council of
November 2004. The European Security and Defence Policy
and the European Union Plan of Action on Combating

(1) Report on Human Security Now, United Nations http://www.human-

security-chs.org.

1.3
However, the European Parliament and the Court of
Justice need to be more involved in all these areas, to safeguard
liberties in the context of the policies that have been proposed
and adopted by the EU.

1.4
However, the Union's focus with regard to the develop-
ment of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice has thus far
been on legislative action, with relatively meagre financing.
its efforts must now centre on the operational
Therefore,
aspects, particularly in relation to the fight against terrorism,
an especially insidious form of criminality that requires urgent
action (3).

1.5
Terrorism, as a form of criminality, constitutes one of
the biggest threats facing citizens today. The premise of the
framework programme is that criminal acts threaten individual
liberties and rights, democratic societies and the rule of law;
therefore,
freedom is only possible within a framework of
security and legal guarantees. Public bodies and civil society
must have the resources to keep up with the growing sophisti-
cation of terrorists and criminals who operate in an organised
fashion and on an international scale; in this way it will be
possible to cofinance bilateral and national projects aimed at
boosting innovation, and applying the resulting experiences at
a transnational or European level.

1.6
Organised crime represents a significant threat for the
EU. According to Europol, approximately half of all organised
crime groups in the Union are made up of citizens of the
Member States; many of these have connections with non-EU
countries associated with various forms of crime, such as drug
trafficking, illegal immigration and people trafficking, financial
crimes, smuggling and different types of property offences.

(2) OJ C 19, 23.1.1999, p.1.

(3) http://www.europol.eu.int/index.asp?page=publar2004#INTRODUCTION.

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1.7
The fight against terrorism and organised crime should
not jeopardise individual liberties and the rule of law; on the
contrary,
it should seek to preserve them. The democratic
constitution, the evolution of the concept of individual liberties
and the presumption of innocence cannot be undermined, nor
questioned, by policies combating terrorism and organised
crime.

terrorism needs improving. Without questioning political
and humanist ethics there must be effective protection for
people and property, and to that end a balance must be
involved in
struck between the differing requirements
protecting the various rights and freedoms.

1.8
The fact that transnational cooperation between these
groups is increasing is cause for concern, not only because this
provides more opportunities for criminals, but also because it
makes police or legal action difficult. It is impossible to fight
transnational crime if police forces cannot act beyond the
borders of their own countries. Organised crime groups exploit
this weakness by living in one Member State and operating in
another. Free movement of goods, people, capital and services
is in many ways positive, but organised crime groups know
how to exploit these freedoms and the flexibility of a legal area
inadequately equipped for curbing their activities.

According to Europol, there are currently about 3 000
1.9
organised crime groups,
involving some 30 000 identified
members, actively operating within the Union. However, these
figures, based on data provided by the Member States, are
merely illustrative;
in reality, the numbers are much greater.
The size, structure, organisation and other characteristics of
such groups differ as much within Member States as between
them. Organised crime groups in the EU are involved in all
kinds of criminal activities, particularly drug trafficking, illegal
immigration, people trafficking, smuggling, stealing works of
art from museums and churches, fraud and financial crimes.

1.10
The EESC has already stated its views on this subject,
in its opinion (4) on the Commission Working Document — The
relationship between safeguarding internal security and complying
with international protection obligations and instruments (5). The
opinion's conclusions included the following:

a. The Committee fully supports coordinated action against
terrorism at Community level and the open coordination
method recommended by the Commission. However, it calls
for great caution and very careful thought regarding preven-
tive and punitive measures, notwithstanding the justifiable
depth of emotion aroused by the unspeakable attacks perpe-
trated in the United States on 11 September, and other
terrorist crimes committed in various EU and third coun-
tries.

b. While reasserting that the safeguarding of human rights and
international protection instruments must be given priority
over all other considerations, the Committee is aware that
security and fighting
the common policy for

internal

(4) EESC opinion of 24 April 2002 (rapporteur working without a study

group: Mr Retureau) (OJ C 149 of 21.6.2002).

(5) Regarding the Commission Working Document - The relationship
between safeguarding internal security and complying with interna-
tional protection obligations and instruments (COM(2001) 743
final).

2. Gist of the Commission document

To improve management of the security risks that affect the
Union's citizens, ensuring their rights and liberties by

1) promoting and developing coordination, cooperation and
mutual understanding between police forces, national autho-
rities and other relevant bodies,

2) stimulating, promoting and developing horizontal methods
and tools to create strategies to fight terrorism and crime,
such as public-private partnerships, codes of conduct and
best practice, comparative statistics and crime detection
techniques and

3) sharing information, knowledge and standards to protect
infrastructures and to manage the consequences of
vital
terrorism and crime, as regards civil protection and the
protection of victims of terrorism and witnesses.

2.1 Types of action proposed

— European projects initiated and managed by the Commis-
inter alia,
sion, coordination mechanisms and networks,
analytical activities such as studies and activities aimed at
identifying
together with specific policies,
training and exchange of staff;

solutions,

— transnational projects initiated and managed by at least two
Member States (or one Member State and one candidate
country);

— national projects with Member States;

— subsidies for NGOs carrying out tasks with a European

dimension.

2.2 The following will receive special support

— operational cooperation and coordination actions (strength-
ening networking — links and relations, trust and mutual
understanding, exchange and dissemination of information,
experience and best practice);

— analytical, follow-up and evaluation actions;

— development and transfer of technology and methodology;

— training, exchange of staff and experts;

— information and distribution activities.

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2.3 Respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality

does not

With regard to the principle of subsidiarity, the framework
programme
by
intervene
programmes managed by each Member State's national authori-
ties; rather, it focuses on issues where value can be added at
European level.
complements national
sense,
programmes and maximises synergies with bilateral and multi-
lateral activities.

in areas

In this

covered

it

With regard to the principle of proportionality, actions are
defined as generally as possible and the administrative and
financial arrangements for their implementation are kept as
simple as possible.

2.4 Simplification and rationalisation

The legal form and management of the proposed instruments
are simplified, financing rationalised, assignment of priorities
made more flexible and transparency increased. Potential bene-
ficiaries will be able to apply using a standard system.

2.5 Budgetary allocation

The proposed budget
for the framework programme totals
EUR 735 million, of which EUR 137,4 million will be for the
instrument Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management
of Terrorism, and EUR 597,6 million for Prevention of and Fight
against Crime.

2.6 Types of intervention and methods of implementation

— subsidies following a call for tender;

— public service contracts.

3. General comments — Dimensions of the threats posed

by crime and terrorism to EU citizens' well-being

3.1
According to Europol, organised crime groups use the
political and economic instability of countries outside the
Union to facilitate their illegal activities, particularly in coun-
tries of origin and transit. Through corruption and the promise
of a better future, people may become involved, either actively
or passively, in crime. This growth in criminality will serve to
perpetuate some of the structural deficiencies that provided
opportunities for criminal activity in the first place, delaying
the introduction of democratic or economic reforms
for
example.

Terrorism is a direct assault on human dignity and the
3.2
most fundamental principles of international law; it is a threat
to all states and peoples; it can appear at any moment and
anywhere, and it directly attacks the basic values of the socie-
ties that form the EU and other international organisations (6):

the rule of law, personal safety, respect and tolerance. Terrorist
crimes are crimes against humanity, democracy and human
rights; they breed hate and fear, and nurture divisions between
religious, ideological and ethnic groups.

This phenomenon has afflicted people throughout the
3.3
world for decades as cities from every continent all bear the
scars of attacks of varying magnitude with the same aim: to kill
or cause as much harm as possible to human beings, to destroy
property and infrastructure, to ruin businesses and economies,
to intimidate the population or groups of people and to force
the hand of governments and international organisations.

terrorism, which began with an earlier attempt

The destruction of the New York World Trade Center
3.4
on 11 September 2001 was the culmination of a new kind of
global
to
destroy the Twin Towers in 1993. The terrorism we now face
is unprecedented in its scope, in its capacity to provoke serious
conflict (7) and in its determination to kill civilians indiscrimi-
nately and on a massive scale. Civil aviation, vital infrastructure
and the computer systems that run most of the processes that
lend normality and modernity to our lives are easy targets for
terrorist groups driven by a total determination to inflict the
greatest possible damage on our societies by attacking their
most vulnerable component: ordinary people.

3.5
Europe has suffered serious terrorist attacks, including
the most recent manifestation of the campaign of global terror,
in London on 21 July 2005. There is a real and constant possi-
bility of further attacks. Therefore we must be prepared: firstly,
in order to prevent such attacks, and secondly to deal with the
consequences of attacks we cannot prevent, in whatever form.
We are growing accustomed to bombings that cause dozens or
hundreds of deaths and urban chaos; however, the terrorist
groups responsible for these attacks have the determination,
large-scale
patience and resources necessary to carry out
attacks, such as the destruction of commercial aircraft or the
release of chemical, biological or ‘dirty’ bombs in densely popu-
lated areas.

3.6
This must not undermine the integrity of the rule of law
and the constitutional guarantees enjoyed by every citizen. The
authorities, always bound by the law, can in some ways over-
step the mark in their efforts to prevent and clamp down on
terrorism.

3.7
Social and economic policy measures can help to alle-
viate the exclusion and resentment caused by the negative
impact of rapid socio-economic change which is frequently
exploited by terrorists. To this end, the following are necessary:

— the adoption of long-term trade, subsidy and investment
policies that help to integrate marginal groups and boost
their involvement;

(6) Speech by the Secretary-General of the United Nations at the Club
of Madrid's Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, Madrid,
Spain, 11 March 2005 http://www.safe-democracy.org.

(7) Rohan Gunaratna. Al Qaeda, viaje al interior del terrorismo islamista.

Page 27. Editorial Servi Doc., Barcelona, 2003.

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— new efforts to reduce structural

inequalities in societies,

eliminating discrimination of certain groups;

tion of inclusive societies that enable the participation of all
through civic cooperation, economic activity and education.

— programmes focussed on promoting education of children
and women, employment and representation of the socially
excluded;

— achievement of

the Millennium Development Goals by

2015.

3.8
The prevention of terrorist attacks plays a key role in
the EU's policies on freedom, security and justice; according to
Eurobarometer, eight out of ten Europeans fear terrorism and
83 % of the population of the Union believe in the added value
of EU action against terrorism, and therefore demand it. The
key document of the EU's counter-terrorism strategy is the EU
action plan on combating terrorism (8). Its main lines of action are:

1. Deepen the international consensus and enhance interna-

tional efforts to combat terrorism,

2. Target actions under EU external relations towards Third
Countries where counter-terrorist capacity or commitment
to combating terrorism needs to be enhanced,

3. Address the factors which contribute to support for, and

recruitment into, terrorism,

4. Reduce the access of
economic resources,

terrorists to financial and other

5. Maximise capacity within EU bodies and Member States to
investigate and prosecute terrorists and prevent

detect,
terrorist attacks,

6. Protect the security of international transport and ensure

effective systems of border control,

7. Enhance the capability of Member States to deal with the

consequences of a terrorist attack.

As terrorism is a global phenomenon, the response to it
3.9
must also be global, not only in the sense that international
cooperation between states, organisations and international
bodies is essential, but also in that all sectors of society must be
involved: organised civil society (including economic and social
interest or various
stakeholders and organisations of general
activities), all types of government institution and the general
public. A process of political and civil dialogue in the general
context of security and safeguarding liberty should be initiated.

3.10
To this end, organised civil society has the capacity
and duty to play a central role in the integrated response to
terrorism. The fact that organised civil society is built on active
citizenship gives it a more flexible, creative and varied stand-
point from which to develop preventative measures more effec-
tively than government. Organised civil society can promote
the spread of knowledge and understanding, both horizontally
and from the bottom up, since these are vital to the construc-

(8) Note to the European Council, 16-17 June 2005, submitted by the

Presidency and the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator:
http://www.consilium.eu.int/uedocs/cmsUpload/newWEBre01.en05.pdf.

Furthermore, the proposals made by organised civil society on
the need for a balance between security measures and measures
to safeguard liberties should be taken into account by the rele-
vant public authorities.

3.11
All kinds of non-state actors, economic and social
movements and players, media, various interest organisations,
the academic community, religious leaders, the world of art
and culture, global public opinion — all these can and must
play a more active role in this area.

3.12
A dynamic civil society can take on a strategic role in
protecting local communities, tackling extremist ideologies and
addressing the issue of political violence. Civil society is an
open space where citizens can determine their own destiny; it
is a form of resistance and protest, a source of information,
public debate and social reflection, and a mechanism for media-
tion, reconciliation and compromise. Civil society provides a
platform for different social groups and causes, gives a voice to
minorities and nonconformists, and promotes — through its
own diversity — a culture of tolerance and pluralism. Civil
society includes radicals and moderates,
those within the
system and those on the margins, those that offer resistance
and those that negotiate.

Civil society can play a critical role in building a new
3.13
approach to coordinated global action, until now hindered by
unilateralist attitudes and recent international political disagree-
ments. Over the last few decades, different representatives of
civil society have formed dynamic international alliances —
involving people and groups all over the world — in the
advancement of global causes, such as gender equality, peace
and human rights, the fight against AIDS, the environment, fair
trade and global justice movements, etc.

3.14
There is an increasingly widespread conviction that in
the fight against terrorism, state action is not enough if it does
not go hand-in-hand with the active commitment of civil
society and its stakeholders. As the forum of organised civil
society, the Committee has the opportunity and duty to act in
those areas falling within its remit,
to contribute to the
counter-terrorist activities being promoted in the EU and other
relevant fora. Furthermore, such efforts should naturally enable
the Committee,
in its role of prevention, cooperation and
dialogue, to contribute to the development of anti-terrorism
policies that affect its area of action. The proposals for Council
Decisions establishing the specific programmes Prevention,
Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism and
Prevention of and Fight against Crime offer broad and flexible
scope for all kinds of initiative.

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3.15
into account:

The following general observations should be taken

3.15.1
and takes a firm stance on this issue.

The EESC strongly condemns any kind of terrorism

3.15.2
The EESC firmly supports the fight against crime and
terrorism and emphasises the positive impact of the appoint-
ment of the EU coordinator in the fight against terrorism,
Mr Gijs de Vries.

3.15.3
must be consolidated.

Progress in fighting terrorism and crime in the EU

3.15.4
In addition, there must be effective cooperation and
coordination between Member States with regard to law enfor-
cement, intelligence and judicial matters (giving priority to the
principle of availability of relevant information); cooperation
with third countries should also be effective and permanent.

3.15.5
important part in the Commission proposal.

Strategic public-private partnerships also play an

Organised civil society can play a role at two levels: in
3.16
preventing attacks and in managing their
consequences,
whether physical, psychological or economic. In line with the
types of actions set out in the proposals, and making the most
of
the
the broad net cost by the proposals' definitions,
Committee can promote various types of general
initiative,
within its area of responsibility, in the same areas focussed on
at
the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and
Security, which closed in Madrid on 11 March 2005. At this
meeting, a plan of action entitled the Madrid Agenda was
drawn up to provide a framework for the implementation of
different recommendations (9).

4. Specific comments

4.1
Proposal for a Council Decision 2005/0034 (CNS) estab-
lishing the specific Programme Prevention, Preparedness and
Consequence Management of Terrorism, for the Period 2007-2013

4.1.1
The EESC agrees with the programme's general objec-
tives, set out by the Commission in Articles 3 and 4 of the
proposal.

is to be channelled through the 7th research framework
programme, which according to the Commission's current
proposal has set aside EUR 1 billion for this proposal, this
programme should promote applied research relating to the
discussion and sharing of
information developed by think-
tanks, academic institutions and different fora and organisations
acting as centres for debate and the formulation of political
proposals which strengthen the formal and informal
links
maintained by researchers, analysts and intellectuals with deci-
sion-makers.

[5(2)

‘Training,

exchange of

staff and experts’

4.1.2.2
(d)]
relating to the above activities, but especially with those that
enable the creation, development and ongoing maintenance of
high-quality training programmes aimed at linguists, translators
and interpreters of languages on which there are currently few
experts and which are used to spread both messages regarding
the commission of crimes and terrorist acts and the propa-
ganda used to justify these and attract new recruits.

and

[5(2)

‘Awareness

dissemination activities’

(e)],
4.1.2.3
including those mentioned in point 4.2.2.1, putting special
emphasis on the role of the media, which can serve to discredit
violence, but sometimes facilitates the unlimited dissemination
of propaganda by recognised terrorist and criminal groups; this
means that their inalienable right to report the news without
censorship has the perverse effect of giving a voice to those
criminal groups with terrorist
intentions: broadcasting live
images of attacks, kidnappings and the murder of terrorised
hostages.

In Article 6 it would be appropriate to clarify in detail
4.1.3
who may apply, as in Article 5 of the other programme.
Insofar as they work in highly sensitive areas, the Commission
will publish a list of the beneficiaries of subsidies each year.

Article 14(3) stipulates that

4.1.4
the Commission will
submit to the Parliament and the Council interim evaluation
reports and a communication on the implementation of the
programme. The EESC should also be involved throughout the
evaluation process.

4.1.2 With regard to the eligible actions listed in Article 5
of the proposal, the EESC believes that special attention should
be given to:

4.2
Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the specific
Programme Prevention of and Fight against Crime for the Period
2007-2013

4.1.2.1
‘Analytical, monitoring, evaluation, audit and inspection
activities’ [Article 5(2) (b)]; although basic research in this field

(9) http://cumbre.clubmadrid.org/agenda/la-agenda-de-madrid.html.

4.2.1
specific objectives [Articles 2 and 3].

The EESC agrees with the programme's general and

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the

and

Although

Fundamental Rights

4.2.2
Justice
programme provides for social and legal assistance to victims,
the EESC calls for special attention to be paid to protecting
witnesses and victims and promoting and developing best prac-
tice therein as part of law enforcement services [Articles 3(1)
(c) and 3(2) (c)], as well as aspects relating to crime prevention
and criminology and the development of horizontal methods
and tools needed for strategically preventing and fighting crime
[Articles 3(1) (b) and 3(2) (b)].To this end, the EESC supports
the Commission's work on pilot projects to fight terrorism,
people trafficking and provide financial support for the protec-
tion of victims of terrorism. Based on evaluation of these pilot
projects, the EESC believes that, once implemented, they should
lead to the creation of a permanent compensation fund for
victims of terrorism.

the fight against

4.2.2.1 With regard to the protection of victims of terrorism
and their families and dependants, in all its forms: the human
aspect of
terrorism, based on protecting
victims and promoting the role of civil society, must be made
the strategy for combating terrorism.
an integral part of
Victims suffer violence which targets the whole of society and
the values it represents. Therefore, society has a moral and poli-
tical obligation to recognise and respond to such violence.
States must protect and guarantee the rights and liberties of
their citizens, starting with the right to life and the right to live
free from fear or threats. Victims are the reality of terrorism;
they are the voice of society and its front line in the war on
terrorism. Focussing on the victims' testimonies is the most
effective way of raising awareness and building the necessary
commitment in society to the fight against terrorism, and of
forging a civic response. It is also the best way of discrediting
and isolating terrorists, both politically and morally. To this
end, the following are necessary:

— the international community's understanding and solidarity,
sending out a clear message that respect for human rights is
at the heart of the fight against terrorism;

— international measures

and protection and assistance

mechanisms for victims of terrorism;

sion document being discussed here, there is no mention of
this debate;

— encouragement of measures to promote the commitment of
civil society to fighting terrorism, with the input and active
participation of civil society stakeholders,
in particular
victims, on the international stage.

4.2.2.2 With regard to the prevention of crime: drug traf-
ficking is the most common type of transnational crime in the
EU. and well-established criminal groups in all Member States
guarantee wide scale distribution throughout
the Union.
Furthermore, the trend in trafficking more than one substance
continues to grow.

Trafficking in human beings is a growing problem in the
Union; the economic benefits of this activity are enormous.
The EU must strengthen its operational capacity to initiate and
support investigations into the trafficking of human beings and
its associated forms, such as the sexual exploitation of children
and prostitution in a wider sense. The EESC considers initiatives
such as the Proposal for a Council Directive on the short-term resi-
dence permit issued to victims of action to facilitate illegal immigra-
tion or trafficking in human beings who cooperate with the competent
authorities (10), which strengthened the instruments used to
combat illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings (11),
to be essential to these efforts.

Corruption, money laundering, financial offences and counter-
feiting of money are also causes for concern in the Union.
Money laundering is a key activity of organised crime groups
that operate in the Union, since it serves as a source of finan-
cing. All of these factors (forms of criminality and terrorist
financing) only serve to create synergies that perpetuate the
exploitation and abuse of human beings (12). It is particularly
necessary to:

— encourage cooperation and strategic alliances between the
public and private sectors, especially in the development of
best practice, as well as in the fight against money laun-
dering and terrorist financing, while meeting standards of
integrity in the financial
transparency and professional
in line with FATF
sector and non-profit organisations,
recommendations (13) (the main international body respon-
sible for protecting the international financial system from
money laundering and terrorist
financing) and the EU's
Action Plan (14);

— encourage statistical benchmarks and applied criminology,
as well as their application to real measures and policies.

— the debate on victims is closely connected to the debate on
human rights; the debate on the human rights and funda-
mental
liberties of individuals caught up in the war on
terrorism should be broadened and should endeavour to
reconcile Member States' obligation to respect human rights
in combating terrorism with their obligation to adopt all
measures necessary to protect people's human rights when
confronted with terrorism. Unfortunately, in the Commis-

(10) EESC opinion of 29 May 2002 (rapporteur: Mr Pariza Castaños)

(OJ C 221 of 17.9.2002).

(11) COM(2002) 71 final of 11.2.2002.
(12) http://www.europol.eu.int/index.asp?page=publar2004#INTRODUCTION.
(13) http://www.fatf-gafi.org/document/28/0,2340,en_322503

79_32236930_33658140_1_1_1_1,00.html#Introduction.

(14) Note to the European Council, 16-17 June 2005, submitted by the

Presidency and the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator:
http://www.consilium.eu.int/uedocs/cmsUpload/newWEBre01.en05.pdf.

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4.3 With regard to Article 4(2) (types of activities which
may be financed):

that

Specific reference should be made to the importance
4.3.1
of interfaith and intergenerational dialogue in identifying funda-
mentalist beliefs and promoting best practices
foster
mutual understanding, moderation and democratic tolerance,
thus
limiting the radicalisation and recruitment of new
followers. The fight against terrorism requires us to deprive the
phenomenon of its moral legitimacy; this can only be achieved
through dialogue and an understanding of
‘the other side’.
Actions should be promoted that enable groups of different
faiths and their respective leaders to build bridges of compre-
hension and understanding, deepening harmony and tolerance,
and helping to create a body of knowledge that enables us to
identify the causes of hatred and how they can be overcome.
The different religious communities must get to know each
other better — there is no more effective way to do this than
through measures facilitating the creation of networks between
their members.

4.3.2 Without prejudice to those activities of the Migration
Flows programme that relate to the social
integration and
employment of people, especially young people, belonging to
ethnic, religious, cultural or immigrant minority groups, this
programme should also develop best practice from successful
methodologies used in this field, particularly with regard to
training and exchange of staff and experts (Article 4(2)).

4.3.3
From the point of view of civil society organisations,
the EESC is compelled to criticise the European Commission's
recent preliminary proposal relating to a code of conduct for
non-profit organisations to promote their transparency and
financial responsibility. This proposal could have a negative
impact on all European NGOs and discredit all such organisa-
tions, thus undermining their most useful social capital: the
trust of the public and of local, national and European institu-
tions.

the adoption of statutes for a European Association and a Euro-
pean Mutual Society, which has unfortunately been broken off,
should be continued.

4.3.4
The activities outlined in points 4.1.2.2 and 4.1.2.3
relating to ‘training, exchange of staff and experts’ and on ‘aware-
ness and dissemination activities’ are also relevant here.

Art and culture should also occupy an important place
4.3.5
in the creation of a blueprint for a civic response to crime and
terrorism, but also serve as a means of expressing and under-
standing other points of view, different to the widely held
views in our countries.

4.4 With regard to Article 14 (Evaluation), the comments
made in point 4.1.4 are reiterated.

5. Conclusion

5.1
The EESC believes that this framework programme's two
proposals are necessary and that, if in the process of interim
evaluation the programme is judged to have made positive
progress, the proposals should be assigned greater funding.

5.2
Furthermore, the EESC, within its own area of responsi-
bility, must be involved in the dialogue with the Commission
to finalise the programme's
and the European Parliament
corresponding evaluation
annual plans,
processes.

as well

the

as

5.3
In addition, the EESC reiterates that the methods used in
current European programmes defending liberty and security
should strike a balance with the safeguarding of liberties, as
stipulated in the opinion on The Hague Programme: Ten priorities
for the next five years — The Partnership for European renewal in the
field of Freedom, Security and Justice (COM(2005) 184 final) (SOC/
209).

The EESC understands the concern to prevent the possible use
of non-profit organisations to finance terrorism and other crim-
inal activities. However,
this must all be done using the
ordinary instruments of prevention and prosecution available
to the different Member States' authorities. Above all, work on

5.4
Protection of fundamental rights, liberties and security is
the responsibility of all; it begins with the instilling of common
values at primary school age, and must constantly aim to strike
a balance between the three pillars — freedom, democracy,
security.

Brussels, 14 December 2005.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND