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
Six Years of War in Yemen Reveal Entrenched Humanitarian Access Problems
Washington, D.C., March 24, 2021 — Tomorrow marks the 6th anniversary of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. As a direct result of the war, Yemen has for years now been home to the worst humanitarian
Fixing “Material Support” — Lessons from the Houthi Terror Designation – Just Security
March 18, 2021 C&SN Director Paul Carroll writes for Just Security on the lessons learned from the designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group—namely that the underlying material support legal regime still poses unacceptable
Perils of Humanitarianism in Today’s World of Conflict – Justice for All Now
March 3, 2021 In this in-depth interview, C&SN Director Paul Carroll joins the host of Justice For All Now Hena Zuberi to discuss C&SN's work to protect and promote the ability of nonprofit groups to
‘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