The Convention is designed to facilitate the extradition of persons having committed acts of terrorism. To this end, it lists the offences that Parties undertake not to consider as political offences, or as offences connected with political offences, or as offences inspired by political motives, namely acts of particular gravity, hijacking of aircraft, kidnapping and taking of hostages, the use of bombs, grenades, rockets, letter or parcel bombs, if their use endangers persons. Moreover, the Convention empowers Parties not to consider as a political offence any act of violence against the life, physical integrity or liberty of a person.

It is expressly provided that nothing in the Convention shall be interpreted as imposing an obligation upon a Party to extradite a person who might then be prosecuted or punished solely on the grounds of race, religion, nationality or political opinion.