A report by the parliament's Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs Committee, which is being debated in Strasbourg, is calling on the EU to "take action" to root out problematic aspects of "cults".

BBC Correspondent Shirin Wheeler says concern about cult activity is growing

MEPs on the committee want the parliament to order a survey of cult activity across Europe.

They also suggest setting up an international network to support education and share advice about cults. Information should particularly be targeted at schools, the MEPs say.

The report stops short of asking for specific anti-cult legislation, but says insufficient use is being made of laws which could be used to combat crime inside sects.

It proposes that psychological services offered by cults should come under existing consumer protection laws.

Spiritual crisis

The report says the rise of cults should be seen as a sign of a widespread spiritual crisis in modern society.

It says: "The attraction of cults should be seen as the symptom of a profound social, moral and civic disquiet and in the light of a longing for a meaning and purpose in life which is no longer being satisfied by the traditional churches.

"The potential dangers of many cults primarily affect individuals, including young people, possibly damaging their mental and physical integrity or their social and financial standing," the report continues.

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The report says priority should be given to protecting people through information and advice "allowing individuals to make a well-informed and independent choice and providing help if they wish to leave a cult".

International concern about cult activity has been growing in recent years because of a series of highly publicised incidents.

Ten people died in nerve gas attacks by members of the Aum Shinrikyo sect on the Tokyo underground.

Mass suicides involving disciples of the Solar Temple movement claimed the lives of more than 60 people in Switzerland and France.

Fears of discrimination

In Germany, concern about the Church of Scientology led to the sect being denied official recognition as a religion earlier this year.

As a result the US State Department accused the German Government of religious intolerance and discriminating against the sect.

BBC correspondents say that if the European Parliament decides to act on the report's conclusions it will be laying itself open to similar accusations.