Speakers at the Sept. 17, 2013 New York launch of an independent study on counterterrorism’s effects on humanitarian action discussed its findings that counterterrorism measures (CTMs) negatively impact humanitarian assistance to people in need and called for dialog between civil society, the UN and governments aimed at solving the problem. Jean-Paul Laborde, Executive Director of the UN’s Counterterrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), Kyung-wha Kang, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Relief Coordinator, and Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the NRC, all called for dialog between civil society, the UN and governments aimed at solving the problem. A video of the event is here.
Kang summarized the report’s findings, outlining CTM impacts, including “halts or decrease in funding, blocking of projects, suspension of programs, planning or program design not according to needs, delays in project implementation, increased administrative procedures for procurement or vetting, and limitations on financial transactions.”
Egeland cited the example of a food program for kindergarten students in Gaza that was discontinued because “the headmaster was seen as leaning toward Hamas.” He asked; “when did a baby become a Hamas baby? A baby is a baby.” Such actions, Egeland argued, are likely to anger and alienate people. Overall, he called the effects of CTMs “toxic”, saying “we need to detoxify it.” Egeland also called on civil society to be more proactive in forging a solution to the problem, saying NGOs have not pushed back enough against counterproductive CTMs.
Laborde stressed that many of the negative impacts are unintended consequences of laws meant to protect public safety, and governments “did not know that when they translated through ministries of treasury and interior or homeland defense…through a state department or donor down to the NGO, it had totally counterproductive effects.”
The speakers offered several ideas for moving forward. Kang called for carve outs; “exceptions within the regime providing for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need.” Laborde said CTMs must “reconnect with international humanitarian law.” He also mentioned possible reform of UN Security Council Resolution 1373, the UN’s primary anti-terrorism measure, and supported some form on intent standard. Egeland urged NGOs to work together to make sure their resources are protected from going into the wrong hands.
All speakers urged a cooperative approach to reform. Laborde said, “It will take some time, but we can make this new legislation with international humanitarian law exemptions. We should act together. Otherwise, it will not work.”