The U.S. counterterrorism framework impedes the work of legitimate nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in two ways: first, it prohibits anyone from engaging in a wide range of broadly defined activities that involve listed terrorist organizations, regardless of the purpose or intent behind such engagement. Violating “material support” laws can result in criminal prosecution, extensive jail time, and fines.
Second, it allows the government to list U.S. charities as supporters of designated terrorist organizations and thereby seize their assets, including their donations, without the benefit of basic due process rights such as notification or adequate opportunity to challenge the listing.
Read more about this issue in our Background section.
Featured Resources
‘No tea for terrorists’: How Counterterror Laws Hamper NGOs – Devex
February 25, 2021 C&SN Director Paul Carroll is quoted in this Devex piece, written by Teresa Welsh, on the negative impacts of "material support" laws on NGOs operating abroad. Read the full story on Devex.
Biden Administration Revokes Terrorist Designation of Houthis
The Biden Administration on February 16, 2021 removed Ansarallah (aka the Houthis) from two U.S. terrorist lists, less than three weeks after the group was added to the lists by the outgoing Trump administration. At
C&SN Statement on Proposed Designation of Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization November 20, 2020
We are aware of more and more reports and testimonials that the Trump Administration and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are considering designating the Houthis in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Such a
On International Day of Charity, A Call for Protecting Charities and Supporting Sustainable Development Goals
By Zach Theiler On Sept. 5, the International Day of Charity, launched in 2012 to honor Mother Teresa, it is time to recognize the importance of charities in alleviating suffering and promoting human security. Globally,
Civil Society Organizations Issue Joint-Statement at the 10th Anniversary of Holder vs. Humanitarian Law
On June 30, the Charity & Security Network issued a joint-statement with 22 civil society organizations calling for further legal protections to be provided to peacebuilders working around the world. The statement comes at the
Webinar Recording: Ten Years After the Humanitarian Law Project Decision – Fixing the Damage
On June 21, 2010 the Supreme Court ruled against the Humanitarian Law Project in a case that effectively expanded the criminal prohibition on providing material support to terrorism to include many peacebuilding activities. Up until