An amendment introduced to the National Defense Authorization Act would create a path towards greater financial inclusion for nonprofit organizations. Find out more at C&SN News. (July 6)
C&SN submitted comments to the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. The comments focused on the interface of IHRL, IHL, and counterterrorism regulation. Read more at C&SN News. (July 8)
The CIVICUS Monitor, which reports on the state of freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly in every country in the world, has placed the USA on its Watch List for the second time since the Monitor’s inception in 2017. See the full story at C&SN News. (June 29)
In this episode, host Zach Theiler interviews Kay Guinane, the founder and director of the Charity & Security Network. In the interview she explores the intersection of nonprofit rights and national security, and looks at some of the key challenges and victories over the past 10 years. Listen at C&SN or Apple Podcasts. (July 8)
A new report takes a looks into the challenges facing nonprofits trying to move funds abroad for programs in Syria. Read C&SN’s abstract of IMPACT’s report, “Invisible Sanctions: How over-compliance limits humanitarian work on Syria” at C&SN. (June 25)
The Holder vs. Humanitarian Law Project ruling expanded the criminal prohibition on providing material support to terrorism to include many peacebuilding activities. Civil society organizations are calling for legal safeguards for peacebuilders. Read more at C&SN News. (June 30)
A new online tool created by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance allows policymakers, journalists, civil society groups, and the public to track the impact of the pandemic. Use the toolkit at IDEA. (July 9)
Exponential funding growth in the UN’s counterterrorism programs can largely be attributed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, countries with checkered histories on human rights. Eric Rosand and Alistair Millar at Just Security analyze the risks of excluding human rights dialogue from counterterrorism discussions. (July 8)
President Duterte told citizens not to fear a new counterterrorism law, addressing for the first time the controversial legislation that has unnerved rights groups over potential violations of civil liberties. Neil Morales and Giles Elgood report at Reuters. (July 7)
Pippa Woodrow and Jessie Smith at The Telegraph point out the dangers of UK counterterrorism law, and how it could undermine peacebuilding with groups such as the Kurdish YPG. (July 8)
Nine UN special rapporteurs urged President Duterte to reconsider certain aspects of the pending “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020” to ensure that it complies with the Philippine government’s international human rights obligations. Read more at Philstar. (July 3)
The UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution that would have cut the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria’s mainly rebel-held northwest to just one crossing point from Turkey. Edith Lederer reports at The Washington Post. (July 8)
Crowell Moring law firm provides legal analysis of the Caesar Act economic sanctions levied by the US against Assad and others associated with the regime. Read more at Crowell Morning. (June 25)
Unlike the pre-existing US sanctions on Syria, the Caesar Act applies to transactions anywhere in the world that engage the Syrian Government or certain sectors of the Syrian economy, even when those transactions have no connection to the US. Rebecca Barber provides analysis at Just Security. (July 8)
Leila Sadat at Just Security argues that the basis for U.S. sanctions on the ICC as a threat to US national security is not only factually incorrect, but undermines American values. (June 29)
