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
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
USAID Revises Grantee Documents Relating to Anti-Terrorism Requirements
New changes to two documents related to USAID’s contract and certification process have reduced the “look-back” period from 10 to three years, and clarified that grantees need only check U.S. government and UN terrorist lists
Abstract: Global Fragility Act Implementation Report Issued by AfP
Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) and One Earth Future Foundation have released a 92-page final working paper providing a way forward for implementing the Global Fragility Act (GFA). Getting From Here to There: Successful Implementation of