Since 9/11, measures designed to criminalize financial support for terrorist organizations are increasingly linked to laws and regulations governing charities and nonprofits. The Financial Action Task Force, a global standard-setting body on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, sets recommendations for member states, which in turn promulgate laws and policies to combat illicit finance. In the U.S., the Department of Treasury is responsible for these programs.
Under this framework, repressive regimes and financial institutions can restrict the legitimate activities of civil society through the imposition of extensive legal and financial requirements. The important work that civil society organizations do to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism must be protected.
This page contains information on many aspects of Counter-terrorist Financing, including on the Financial Action Task Force and U.S. Treasury.
Featured Resources
Online Discussion: Current Counterterrorism Measures and Issues for Principled Humanitarian Action
There are many challenges for principled humanitarian action - security in conflict zones, lack of adequate funding and more. But counterterrorism measures can also present certain challenges, including areas of tension between international humanitarian
C&SN Submits Comments to U.S. Treasury on Update to National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment
On June 11, 2018 the Charity & Security Network sent comments to the U.S. Department of Treasuryt regarding its pending update to the 2015 National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment. Thie comments, which reflect input and insights from C&SN members, also request a meeting
ODI Report: Impact of Derisking on Humanitarian Response in Yemen
As bank "derisking" persists, areas of dire humanitarian need around the globe are hardest hit. In the case of Yemen, individuals, nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and businesses alike have been adversely affected by this global
Senate Hearing Hits on Derisking, Risk-Based Approach
In a January 9 Senate Banking committee hearing, both legislators and witnesses touched on the importance of a risk-based approach (RBA) in the federal anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime. While the hearing, Combating
If it Ain’t Broke …..
As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The spokesman for the “let’s-shut-down-U.S.-charities-because-they’re-conduits-for-terror-finance” school of thought has been pushing this outdated and discredited narrative in Washington, D.C. over the past year
Sanctions Bill Includes Counter-Terrorism Financing, Financial Access Language
An international sanctions bill primarily focused on Russia contains language devoted to countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) and supporting remittances to Somalia as well as wire transfers by legitimate entities. Countering America's Adversaries