EU states agree that inciting terrorism on the Internet is a crime

Representatives of the EU’s 27 member states formally agreed today to harmonize their respective countries’ definitions of criminally prosecutable acts of terrorism by expanding them to include three new types of crimes: “public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, [terrorist] recruitment, and training for terrorism.” The definition of “public provocation” was especially controversial, and it encompasses content posted on the Internet, including not only direct incitements to violence but also terrorist propaganda and bomb-making expertise.The decision wasn’t without controversy, and misgivings about the possible limits on freedom of expression implied in the Amendment to the 2002 Council Framework Decision on combating terrorism were aired in a round-table session on Monday. An EU Parliament report on the round-table summarized the concerns of one British representative, who recounted how British law enforcement had allegedly threatened to use anti-terror laws to arrest some of the protesters at the London leg of the Olympic torch relay. Her concern, much like those who’ve been raising objections to this “public provocation” language since it was proposed last year, is that the Amendment will push member states down a slippery slope toward criminalizing legitimate political expression.

Even if they did or do it’s not like they would follow it anyway. The USA surely doesn’t with it’s free speech zones, McCain/Feingold and the likes of HR 1955: the Violent Radicalisation and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 nearly passing.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/…

CROOKED MEPs are trousering cash meant for workers’ wages, it was revealed yesterday.Some hire “ghost” staff - then claim thousands of pounds from the £100million annual allowance. Others recycle the handout by employing unqualified relatives, a bombshell report on MEPs’ expenses found. In many cases the whole £125,000 allowance is paid to just ONE person on the staff. One assistant received a “Christmas bonus” worth 19 TIMES their monthly salary. Taxpayers’ money is also being diverted to party funds, with the internal probe describing the corruption as “massive and widespread”. Brussels had wanted to cover up the abuse - but EU fraudbusters have demanded a copy of the report. Last night Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies - one of a handful of people who have seen the audit - called it “dynamite”. He said: “The allegations should lead to the imprisonment of a number of MEPs. It’s embezzlement and fraud on a massive, massive scale.” All 785 Euro MPs - including 78 Brits - are entitled to about £125,000 a year for staff, as well as a £62,000 yearly salary and lavish expenses. But spot checks on 167 MEPs found many employee payments for 2004 and 2005 were not being properly accounted for. The scandal eclipses the case of Tory MP Derek Conway, who last month was exposed for paying his sons thousands for doing virtually nothing. Mr Davies said it made the Conway affair “look like small change” and called for the findings to be released to the public. The report is a closely-guarded secret and only MEPs on the budget control committee have been allowed to see it. An EU Parliament source hinted at a cover-up, saying: “We cannot make this report available to the public if we want people to vote in the European elections next year.” A spokesman for the Parliament claimed: “The document is not secret - it is confidential.”

The article speaks for itself.