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European justice ministers vow to continue fight against terrorism
By MATTI HUUHTANEN
The Associated Press
04/08/05 08:52 EDT
HELSINKI, Finland (AP) - European justice ministers pledged Friday
to continue the fight against terror, including money laundering and
the financing of terrorist attacks, and make easier the confiscation
of proceeds from criminal activities.
However, anti-terrorist measures should "fully respect human rights,"
the Council of Europe ministers said in a resolution adopted at the
end of a two-day conference.
Finnish Justice Minister Johannes Koskinen, who hosted the meetings,
said that the anti-terrorist campaign was "a top priority" in the
46-nation organization.
"Terrorism is a threat to European fundamental values; the rule of law,
human rights and democracy," Koskinen said at a news conference. He
urged member nations to adopt previous anti-terrorist protocols as
well as resolutions passed in Helsinki.
Finnish President Tarja Halonen, who opened the conference, said
the Council of Europe - the continent's top human rights watchdog -
played a central role in "strengthening human rights, democracy and
the rule of law" in Europe.
"It has laid a firm foundation for the rapid progress of European
integration," Halonen said, but cautioned that several nations that
had recently adopted parliamentary democracy and the rule of law "have
a long way to go in strengthening civil society ... and safeguarding
the freedom of expression."
Concerned about growing debt in "a consumer credit society," a
resolution passed by the participants, including 30 justice ministers,
called on governments "to take measures to seek legal action and
practical solutions to debt problems encountered by citizens."
Participants also discussed the reform of European prison rules,
standardizing regulations in the fight against crime and assisting
prisoners to reintegrate into society.
The next meeting of the council's justice ministers is scheduled to
be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in 2006.
On the Net:
http://www.coe.int/2005-helsinki
By MATTI HUUHTANEN
The Associated Press
04/08/05 08:52 EDT
HELSINKI, Finland (AP) - European justice ministers pledged Friday
to continue the fight against terror, including money laundering and
the financing of terrorist attacks, and make easier the confiscation
of proceeds from criminal activities.
However, anti-terrorist measures should "fully respect human rights,"
the Council of Europe ministers said in a resolution adopted at the
end of a two-day conference.
Finnish Justice Minister Johannes Koskinen, who hosted the meetings,
said that the anti-terrorist campaign was "a top priority" in the
46-nation organization.
"Terrorism is a threat to European fundamental values; the rule of law,
human rights and democracy," Koskinen said at a news conference. He
urged member nations to adopt previous anti-terrorist protocols as
well as resolutions passed in Helsinki.
Finnish President Tarja Halonen, who opened the conference, said
the Council of Europe - the continent's top human rights watchdog -
played a central role in "strengthening human rights, democracy and
the rule of law" in Europe.
"It has laid a firm foundation for the rapid progress of European
integration," Halonen said, but cautioned that several nations that
had recently adopted parliamentary democracy and the rule of law "have
a long way to go in strengthening civil society ... and safeguarding
the freedom of expression."
Concerned about growing debt in "a consumer credit society," a
resolution passed by the participants, including 30 justice ministers,
called on governments "to take measures to seek legal action and
practical solutions to debt problems encountered by citizens."
Participants also discussed the reform of European prison rules,
standardizing regulations in the fight against crime and assisting
prisoners to reintegrate into society.
The next meeting of the council's justice ministers is scheduled to
be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in 2006.
On the Net:
http://www.coe.int/2005-helsinki