Bill would toughen the Penal Code against new forms of terrorism

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill redefines what counts as a terrorism offense: any serious crime committed to subvert the constitutional order, seriously disturb public peace, destabilize an international organization, or spread terror among the population.
2. It would punish receiving or giving indoctrination or training to commit terrorism offenses with two to five years in prison, including habitual internet access to content that incites joining a terrorist organization. It also criminalizes traveling abroad to join or work with terrorist groups.
3. Financing terrorism would carry five to ten years in prison and a fine, and even the negligent failure of those legally required to help prevent such financing would be punished.
4. It would punish recruitment for terrorism, with harsher penalties when aimed at minors, people with disabilities needing special protection, or women who are victims of trafficking.
5. It keeps the punishment of publicly glorifying or justifying terrorism and of demeaning victims, with harsher penalties when spread online or through the media. Judges could order the removal of illegal content, even as a precautionary measure.
6. Those convicted of terrorism offenses could also face absolute disqualification and a new special disqualification from teaching, sports and leisure-time professions. Lighter penalties are provided for those who voluntarily abandon criminal activity and cooperate with the authorities.

Who it affects

• People who take part in terrorist organizations or commit terrorism offenses: The new prison sentences and disqualifications in the Penal Code would apply to them.
• People who get indoctrinated or trained online to join terrorism: They would commit a crime punishable by two to five years in prison.
• People who travel abroad to join terrorist organizations: They would commit a terrorism offense even if they never carry out an attack.
• People who finance or collaborate with terrorism: They would face prison and fines, in some cases even for serious negligence.
• People who publish content glorifying terrorism or inciting it: They would face prison, and a judge could order that content removed from the internet.

Words worth knowing

Inhabilitación absoluta (absolute disqualification)

A penalty that bars a person from holding any public job, office or activity for the time set by the sentence.

Enaltecimiento del terrorismo (glorification of terrorism)

Publicly praising or justifying terrorist crimes or those who commit them.

Medida cautelar (precautionary measure)

A judge's decision taken during the investigation, before the verdict, to prevent harm while the case proceeds.

Reincidencia (repeat offense)

An aggravating factor applied when a person commits a new crime after a previous conviction.

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