Regulations, policies and even lawsuits can have a chilling effect on the work of humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, development, human rights and other nonprofit organizations. At times, however, government officials make statements or issue guidance indicating that certain activities are permissible. While these do not hold the force of law, and consulting with legal counsel is always advisable, this page contains resources on those statements and guidance.
Featured Resources
‘Let Us Eat’: Kabul Protesters Demand Release of Frozen Afghan Assets – Common Dreams
December 22, 2021 C&SN's Founder and Senior Advisor Kay Guinane is quoted, arguing that while new general licenses issued by the Treasury Department "represent important progress in protecting the lifesaving work of civil society groups
Treasury Takes Important Steps to Address Afghanistan Crisis, But More Must Be Done
Washington, D.C., December 22, 2021 — In response to the U.S. Treasury Department issuing General Licenses 17, 18 and 19, and accompanying guidance, to facilitate humanitarian and other civil society operations in Afghanistan, Kay Guinane,
OFAC Expands Scope of Syria General License for NPO Activities
December 2, 2021 On Nov. 24, 2021 the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced expansion of its General License for NPO activities in Syria. This is an encouraging sign that Treasury
Sanctions Review Fails to Review Sanctions: Congress Should Step In – Just Security
November 2, 2021 C&SN Director Paul Carroll and Megan Corrado of the Alliance for Peacebuilding offer their analysis on the Biden administration's sanctions policy review in an op-ed for Just Security. Read the full article
C&SN Endorses Broadening General Licenses for Afghanistan
October 14, 2021 On October 13th, 2021 the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP), a network of 150+ member organizations working in 181 countries to end violent conflict and build sustainable peace, sent a letter to Secretary
New Sanctions in Ethiopia Include Protections for Humanitarian and Other Civil Society Projects
A new Executive Order (EO) issued on Sept. 17, 2021 authorizes the Department of Treasury to impose sanctions on persons and entities responsible for the current wave of violence in Ethiopia. Although the Executive Order