Even though the European Union has a common counter-terrorism strategy, its implementation is left to individual member states. That is why anti-terror legislations differ from country to country. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon in Europe. In the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland alone, it has claimed 5,000 deaths over the last 30 years. The Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, however, have had a rippling effect across the Atlantic as well. Faced with the challenges posed by the war against international terrorism, which were only heightened by the attacks in London and Madrid, European countries were forced to adapt and expand their anti-terror legislations."Legislative and institutional requirements have definitely become stricter in all 27 member states of the European Union," said Annegret Bendiek of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs and author of a study on fighting terrorism in the EU.
Terrorism is not a new phenomenon in Europe. In the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland alone, it has claimed 5,000 deaths over the last 30 years.
The Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, however, have had a rippling effect across the Atlantic as well. Faced with the challenges posed by the war against international terrorism, which were only heightened by the attacks in London and Madrid, European countries were forced to adapt and expand their anti-terror legislations."Legislative and institutional requirements have definitely become stricter in all 27 member states of the European Union," said Annegret Bendiek of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs and author of a study on fighting terrorism in the EU.
Faced with the challenges posed by the war against international terrorism, which were only heightened by the attacks in London and Madrid, European countries were forced to adapt and expand their anti-terror legislations.
Forced?!?!??? Yeah, terror legislation is inevitable, we can only implement what is already 'forced' upon us by circumstance. No choices were made at all! Much like we are 'forced' to liberalise, deregulate and privatise 'markets' no doubt.
Spain was not "forced" to adapt and expend its anti-terror laws like the UK did. It's always a choice. "It's the statue, man, The Statue."
Wikipedia: The Troubles
Between 1969 and 2001, 3,523 people were killed as a result of the Troubles.
Wikipedia: ETA
ETA has committed approximately 900 killings and dozens of kidnappings.
So we're at 4,500, including minor players in the Basque conflict.
If you round before adding, you have "nearly 4000 in Ireland and the UK" and "nearly 1000 in Spain". "It's the statue, man, The Statue."
There's also a definition issue... in that not all the deaths in N. Ireland were attributed to "terrorism."
Not that I'm saying the estimate is wrong. I think it's accurate, but it's also a very hard (and politically loaded) thing to measure.
