Luxemburg Presidency's positive reaction: Parliament to review EU terror list

The Greens welcomed the Luxemburg Presidency's positive reaction to suggestions that the EU terrorist list should be more strongly reviewed and should include more participation from the European Parliament. Following a debate in the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday, German Green MEPs Angelika Beer and Cem Özdemir, said:

"The Presidency's reaction to our suggestion was very positive. By integrating the Parliament in the process, there is hope for increased transparency and the reconciliation of Europe's security interests with the humane protection of refugees."

"The questionable manner in which the terror list is drawn up lacks transparency. The withdrawal of citizenship and asylum eligibility must be based on fact. It cannot be generally justified by diffuse connections to organizations on a dubious terror list."

"MEPs agreed to the list under the condition that the Parliament retains the right to review or abolish it. Clear and straightforward criteria for the classification of terrorist groups are at the heart of improving security in Europe."

Source: www.greens-efa.org/cms/pressreleases/dok/101/101358.luxemburg_presidencys_positive_reaction@en.htm