ABSTRACT
The Convention was drafted by the Council of Europe in the European Committee on Crime Problems. The Council's Committee of Ministers adopted the treaty on November 10, 1976, and it was opened for signature on January 27, 1977. Seventeen of the nineteen member states initially signed the convention. The preamble stresses the importance of extradition as a means of combatting terrorism by increasing the probability of prosecution and punishment of terrorists. Article 1 lists crimes which cannot be considered political for purposes of exemption from extradition. Among these is attacks on internationally protected persons including diplomatic agents. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed regret that they had not been consulted during the drafting process. The Assembly did, however, support the treaty and promoted its early ratification. The convention is only open to members of the Council of Europe which supporters argue reduces the likelihood of conflicts arising over the restrictions on extradition and asylum.
