Overview of European and International Legislation on Terrorist Financing

Combating terrorist financing contributes to combating terrorism (terrorist acts and terrorist organisations). There is considerable international and European “legislation” on terrorist financing, and the initiatives taken in this field have increased significantly since the attacks of 11 September 2001. The main players, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Financial Action Task Force and the European Union have addressed the issue of terrorist financing from different perspectives (the types of financing, the possibility of freezing and confiscating assets, etc.) whilst generally linking this issue to measures taken to combat money laundering. Although the issue of the adoption and ratification of this legislation is fundamental, its operational and judicial application is no less important, with intelligence sharing now appearing to be one of the driving forces in combating terrorist financing. Similarly, managing the United Nations and European Union “blacklists” in a way that observes fundamental rights and which is subject to judicial review is essential for the impartial and realistic implementation of targeted asset-freezing actions.