On the margins of the 1st part of the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MEP Mr. Kostis Efstathiou hosted an event on "Cases of abuse of power in the context of measures taken to combat money laundering and combat the financing of terrorism as a tool of cross-border repression", which was attended by representatives of civil society.
In his introductory speech, Mr Efstathiou said that the complex economic and political environment and the various threats to the security of European citizens have inevitably led to the strengthening of efforts by the competent authorities of the Member States to combat international crime, particularly when it is linked to the financing of terrorist organisations and activities. At the same time, however, Mr Efstathiou pointed out, there have been systematic violations of legal rules relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal data and basic human rights through summary procedures, which clearly constitute an abuse of power on the part of national authorities. It is important, he stressed, that these abuses are exposed and that the voice of civil society is heard, which, in the context of pluralism in a democratic society, should be able to freely denounce such phenomena.
The main speakers at the event presented evidence showing that abuses of power are widespread in various Council of Europe member states, while natural persons and organisations have been targeted by the authorities.
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(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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