NCJ Number
91786
Date Published
1982
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews current U.S. statutes and international laws which proscribe some criminal manifestations of terrorist activity, such as hijacking and crimes against diplomatic personnel, as well as laws enacted specifically to deal with terrorism.
Abstract
Congress recently passed or modified existing legislation to address terrorism. Public Law 95-539 amended the criminal code in 1972 by adding crimes directed against foreign officials and guests of the United States, and Public Law 94-467 added internationally protected persons to this category in 1976. Congress enacted the Antihijacking Act of 1974 to conform to the 1970 Hague Convention. It contains criminal provisions, gives the President power to suspend air service rights under specified circumstances, provides for minimum air security measures in foreign air transportation and screening procedures, and gives the Federal Aviation Administration sole authority for directing law enforcement activities in this area. Sanctions against countries that aid or abet terrorists are found in the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976, the Javits Resolution, the International Security Assistance Act of 1977, the Heinz Amendment to the Foreign Assistance and Related Appropriations Act, and bills passed by the 95th Congress designed to assert U.S. influence within international financial institutions not to assist countries who support terrorists. Four international agreements address offenses against civil aviation: the 1963 Tokyo Convention, the 1970 Hague Convention, the 1971 Montreal Convention, and the Bonn Declaration announced at the seven summit countries meeting in 1978. The United Nations has responded to increasing terrorist incidents by adopting the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons in 1973 and the Convention Against the Taking of Hostages in 1979. The Organization of American States and the Council of Europe also have adopted conventions to control terrorism. The paper includes 32 footnotes.