NCJ Number
67746
Journal
POLIZEI Volume: 69 Issue: 11 Dated: (1978) Pages: 341-350
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
RECENT WEST GERMAN LEGISLATION AND LEGAL REFORMS AIMED AT INCREASING INTERNAL SECURITY AND FIGHTING TERRORISM ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
IN RESPONSE TO RECENT ACTS OF TERRORISM, THE WEST GERMAN PARLIAMENT ENACTED SEVERAL LEGAL CHANGES. THE SO-CALLED 'CONTACT BAN' (1977) PROHIBITS THE CONTACT BETWEEN IMPRISONED TERRORISTS IN CERTAIN, CLEARLY DEFINED SITUATIONS. A NEW LAW REGULATING THE COMMITMENT TO SOCIOTHERAPEUTIC INSTITUTIONS WHICH WAS INTENDED TO BECOME EFFECTIVE AT AN EARLIER DATE HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 1985. THE PARLIAMENT RATIFIED THE 'TERRORIST CONVENTION' AGREEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL; THE INTERNATIONAL LAW FACILITATES THE EXTRADITION OF TERRORISTS AND TREATS TERRORIST ACTS AS CRIMINAL RATHER THAN POLITICAL OFFENSES. A COMPREHENSIVE LAW AIMED DIRECTLY AT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES FACILITATES THE SEARCH OF SUSPECTED TERRORISTS' APARTMENTS, PERMITS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LARGE-SCALE POLICE CHECKS AND ROAD BLOCKS SUBSEQUENT TO TERRORIST ATTACKS, AND ENLARGES POLICE RIGHTS TO DETERMINE A SUSPECT'S IDENTITY (INCLUDING DETAINING A SUSPECT UP TO 12 HOURS). IN THE FRAMEWORK OF MORE SEVERE GUN LEGISLATION, ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS WERE PLACED ON THE OWNERSHIP OF PARTICULAR ARMS (E.G., CERTAIN TYPES OF AMMUNITION, PRECISION SLINGSHOTS). TO PROTECT CITIZENS' CIVIL LIBERTIES, THE PARLIAMENT PLACED THE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AND THE BUREAU FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION. THE ARTICLE INCLUDES THE EXACT LEGAL NOTATION OF EACH LAW IN FOOTNOTES. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)