NCJ Number
99188
Journal
American Journal of International Law Volume: 78 Issue: 4 Dated: (1984) Pages: 915-928
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper presents summaries and section-by-section analyses of four antiterrorism bills transmitted by President Reagan to Congress on April 26, 1984.
Abstract
The Act for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Hostage-Taking would implement the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages adopted by the United Nations on December 17, 1979. This legislation would amend the Federal kidnapping statute to provide for Federal jurisdiction over any kidnapping involving a threat to kill, injure, or continue to detain a victim for the purpose of compelling a third party to do or abstain from doing something. The Aircraft Sabotage Act would implement the 1971 Montreal Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation. Under this legislation, Federal jurisdiction would be established over certain aircraft-related offenses, including extraterritorial jurisdiction over some offenses involving aircraft or air navigation facilities of other countries contracting to the convention, if the perpetrator is found in a signatory country. The Act for Rewards for Information Concerning Terrorist Acts would increase the amount of fines for terrorist acts as well as rewards for information on terrorist acts committed abroad. The Prohibition Against the Training or Support of Terrorist Organizations Act of 1984 would enhance the ability of the Department of Justice to prosecute persons involved in the support of terrorist activities and in the support of states using terrorism. Three footnotes are provided.