Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Ministerial Council
Brussels 2006
MC.DEC/7/06
5 December 2006
Original: ENGLISH
Second day of the Fourteenth Meeting
MC(14) Journal No. 2, Agenda item 8
DECISION No. 7/06
COUNTERING THE USE OF THE INTERNET
FOR TERRORIST PURPOSES
The Ministerial Council,
Recalling its previous decision on this issue (MC.DEC/3/04),
Remaining gravely concerned with the growing use of the Internet for terrorist
purposes as outlined in the aforementioned decision and beyond,
Reaffirming in this context the importance of fully respecting the right to freedom of
opinion and freedom of expression, which include the freedom to seek, receive and impart
information, which are vital to democracy and in fact are strengthened by the Internet
(PC.DEC/633 of 11 November 2004) and the rule of law,
Recognizing that United Nations Security Council resolution 1624 (2005) calls upon
States to take measures that are necessary and appropriate, and in accordance with their
obligations under international law, to prohibit by law incitement to commit a terrorist act or
acts and to prevent such conduct,
Reaffirming our commitments under the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy, in particular “to coordinate efforts at the international and regional level to counter
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations on the Internet” and “to use the Internet as a tool
for countering the spread of terrorism, while recognizing that States may require assistance in
this regard”,
Noting the observation in the report by the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee
(S/2006/737 of 15 September 2006) that several States reported they are studying the
application of the prohibition on incitement in their national legislation to the Internet,
Noting recent developments, in particular the Council of Europe Convention on the
Prevention of Terrorism, regarding the obligations of States parties to this Convention to
criminalize public provocation to commit a terrorist offence and recruitment and training for
terrorism,
Recalling the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime (2001), the only legally
binding multilateral instrument that specifically addresses cybercrime by, inter alia,
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