The European Influence on German Anti-Terrorism Law

Abstract

The international context plays a role in the fight against terrorism that is not to be underestimated. On the one hand, international law poses legal obligations that lead and limit the national legislator in his actions. On the other hand, it has become clear that terrorism nowadays is an international problem that concerns not only individual states but the whole international community. The states have recognized that in order to counter the terrorist threat, an approach only on the national level cannot suffice. As a result, the fight against terrorism has shifted increasingly to the international and supranational level. For Germany the European influence is of particular importance. Therefore, the assessment of the European Commission regarding the handling of terrorist threats gains relevance:Modern terrorism is eminently global. The dissemination of propaganda aiming at mobilization and recruitment as well as instructions and online manuals intended for training or planning of attacks via the Internet have an intrinsic international and cross-border character. The threat is international, and so must be at least part of the answer.”