Recommendation 2061 (2015) Final version

Terrorist attacks in Paris: together for a democratic response

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 28 January 2015 (5th Sitting) (see Doc. 13684, report of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, rapporteur: Mr Jacques Legendre). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28 January 2015 (5th Sitting).

1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its Resolution 2031 (2015) “Terrorist attacks in Paris: together for a democratic response” in which it expressed its outrage at the killing of 17 people, including journalists, cartoonists and staff killed in cold blood at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, policemen exercising their duty and people taken hostage merely because they were of the Jewish faith. The Assembly conveys its sympathy to the families of the victims and expresses its solidarity with the French people and authorities.

2. The Assembly considers that, more than an assault on freedom of expression, aimed at silencing and intimidating critical voices, or another act of anti-Semitic violence – which they also were – these were attacks against the very values of democracy and freedom in general. It underlines that any security responses aimed at reinforcing the fight against terrorism and jihadism in full respect of human rights must be accompanied by preventive measures aimed at eradicating the root causes of radicalisation and the rise of religious fanaticism.

3. The Assembly therefore asks the Committee of Ministers to:

3.1. bring to the attention of the governments of the member States the specific recommendations addressed to them in this respect in Resolution 2031 (2015);

3.2. allocate appropriate means and resources to implement the proposals made by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for immediate action by the Council of Europe to combat radicalisation leading to terrorism.