A new UN report underscores the “lack of a robust scientific basis” for policies and practices aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), as well as the “complete absence of human rights-based monitoring and evaluation, including by United Nations entities.” Read the report abstract and analysis at C&SN. (March 9)
Defense for Children International - Palestine (DCI-P), a Palestinian human rights organization focused on child rights, secured a significant legal victory against smear attacks from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). The settlement led to UKLFI recanting allegations that DCI-P had connections to terrorist organizations. Read the full story at C&SN News. (March 12)
The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) motioned to dismiss a lawsuit filed against them by the Jewish National Fund and 12 Americans living in Israel. The full story can be found at C&SN News. (March 9)
Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, human rights organizations have raised alarms about the potential for the emergency to trigger abuse of executive power that silences the civic space. A new report from the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) tracks security measures in response to the virus and assesses the danger posed to the civic space. Find the full report at ICNL. (March 10)
A new report surveys the counter-terrorist financing landscape and seeks to provide an approach through which a more appropriate and relevant response to terrorist financing can be developed. The report is targeted at policymakers, law enforcement agencies and private sector actors that are tasked with combating terrorist financing. Tom Keatinge and Florence Keen’s report can be found at the Royal United Services Institute. (March 9)
Since flights in and out of Yemen have been banned to reduce the spread of coronavirus, international relief teams have scaled back to essential staff only, and medical evacuations have halted. Ben Parker reports at The New Humanitarian. (March 17)
The lethal toll of sanctions during the novel coronavirus pandemic will be made far worse in countries where imports of medications, medical equipment, and the maintenance of water, sanitation, and health care infrastructure are restricted because of US sanctions. Dan Beeton argues at the Center for Policy and Economic Research. (March 18)
UN human rights experts urged States to avoid overreaching security measures in their response to the coronavirus outbreak and reminded them that emergency powers should not be used to quash dissent. Read the story at Relief Web. (March 16)
Aid groups warn that the coronavirus pandemic causes a squeeze on lifesaving supplies and hampers their ability to help some of the world's most vulnerable people. Relief organizations said the outbreak was likely to pose an increasing challenge to their work as nations close borders and impose lockdowns. Sonia Elks reports at The Sight. (March 17)
In response to the pandemic, members of US Congress seek to reauthorize Section 215 powers of the PATRIOT Act, allowing for mass surveillance of phones and communications of American citizens. “If McConnell’s push through the Senate succeeds, it would renew the government’s power to warrantlessly acquire billions of data points on every person in the United States.” Find the full story at AlterNet. (March 17)
This opinion piece argues that the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for governments, citizens, and humanitarian organizations to create new, transparent and emergency ethics to deal with future crises. Hugo Slim writes at The New Humanitarian. (March 18)
Over the past decade, civil society has had a diminishing role in addressing security issues in Tajikistan. Given civil society's close relationship with the people and its deminished ability to help with government reforms, this is cause for concern. Olimjon Bakhtaliev writes at Saferworld. (March 17)
Because civil society plays a critical role in highlighting the needs of the most vulnerable people, it is crucial that governments create policies that empower and include civil society to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Read the report at CIVICUS. (March 9)
Over the past few years, reports have found that governments across Europe are squeezing civil society space. However, a large coalition of civil society organizations across Europe is organizing to push back against the threats posed by government measures. The full story can be found at Carnegie Europe. (March 12)
Limited access to those driven from their homes, low levels of donor funding, and what aid workers have described as government “obstruction” means the majority of the1.3 million people affected by violence in Cameroon cannot be reached. Jess Craig reports at The New Humanitarian. (March 18)
At its peak, the Rukban refugee camp in southeast Syria hosted nearly 60,000 people. However, due to border closure, and neglect from the Assad regime and the international community, humanitarian aid has been cut off for more than a year - causing many to flee. Ellie Sennett reports at PBS. (March 14)
Bangladesh’s government has banned the sale of SIM cards to refugees and ordered telecom companies to impose severe phone and internet restrictions. The restrictions have made it difficult for aid staff and government officials working in the camps to coordinate. But the refugees are hardest hit; they say the phone ban is part of a government crackdown that has severed their only link to the outside world. Read the story from Venera Holzl at The New Humanitarian. (March 10)
The Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) has issued General License 8 authorizing humanitarian trade involving the Central Bank of Iran (CBI). OFAC also announced the establishment of the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement to help foreign governments and financial institutions set up payment mechanisms to facilitate humanitarian exports to Iran. Analysis is provided at Mondaq. (March 13)
