News

The Charity and Security Network monitors U.S. and foreign government activities and a wide range of news sources to identify developments in national security policy that impact American charities and foundations. We collect and disseminate this information - with a focus on its impact on civil society and nonprofit organizations.

 

News

Inspectors General Release Report on Secret Surveillance Programs

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Date: 
July 15, 2009

A July 2009 report by five agency Inspectors Generals puts the spotlight on another "anti-terrorism" measure that fails to augment national security but infringes on civil liberties. Without identifying any specific activities, the unclassified report refers to "Presidential Surveillance Programs" (PSP) authorized by the Bush administration in the aftermath of 9/11. The report describes "conflicting views surrounding the legality" of parts of the PSP and questions the benefits received from the information collected. Authorized by the 2008 FISA Amendment Act (FAA), the report also divulges the Bush White House politicizing the "threat assessment" that it had used as the basis for the domestic surveillance programs. 

Diverse Group of Nonprofits Seek Meeting with Obama Administration on New Rules for Charities

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Date: 
July 10, 2009

On July 2, 2009 the Charity and Security Network sent a letter to President Obama asking for meeting to "to provide background information on how current national security rules create problems for all U.S. charities and to provide recommendations for change."

Experts Describe Tensions Between U.S. Laws and Providing Humanitarian Assistance

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Date: 
July 2, 2009

On July 1, 2009, a panel discussion featuring U.S. NGO leaders and experts shared their expertise on humanitarian codes, charitable groups and donors affected by U.S. laws and regulations.  The speakers voiced concerns over the legal constraints national security laws impose on U.S. charitable organizations that cause tensions with international law and codes for humanitarian aid and development programs and leave donors unsure where to safely and legally contribute.

USAID Seeks Comments on Expanding PVS to Contractors

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Date: 
July 1, 2009

On Friday, June 26 USAID published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comments on implementation of its problematic Partner Vetting System for acquisition awards. Comments are due August 25th. The notice notes that the final rule for NGOs has been delayed and that USAID "has not yet made a final decision on whether to implement PVS."

Another Example of Dissent Being Equated With Terrorism

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Date: 
July 1, 2009

A question on a Department of Defense (DoD) training exam states that the exercise of First Amendment rights in the U.S. is an "example of low level terrorism". New DoD employees are being trained to select "Protests" as the answer to a question about identifying an act of terror. This is one of several examples of when dissent and protest is being equated with terrorism. Civil liberty advocates, like the ACLU, and political activists, are outraged at these "deeply disturbing" assertions. 

State Secrets Protection Act Passes House Subcommittee on Constitution Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

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Date: 
June 15, 2009

After hearing testimony on why the application of the executive state secret privilege needs to curtailed, a House subcommittee passed the State Secret Protection Act, but limited some appeals, and sent it to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Debate over a similar bill in the Senate has been repeatedly postponed.  

Obama's Cairo Pledge on Charitable Giving Rules Opens Door to Reform

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Date: 
June 15, 2009

President Obama's June 4 speech in Cairo had encouraging words for nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and around the world, as he recognized that U.S. charitable giving rules have made charitable donations difficult for Muslims and committed himself to working with American Muslims to resolve the problem. The Charity Security Network and Muslim Advocates each responded with statements pledging cooperation in developing new rules that protect and promote legitimate charitable programs and their donors, both Muslim and non-Muslim. 

Court Orders Review of FBI Records on California Muslim Organizations as New Complaints Emerge in 2 States

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Date: 
June 15, 2009

Responding to claims that Muslim organizations have been illegally spied upon in southern California, a federal judge said on April 20, 2009 he will conduct a review of the FBI records.  The decision comes after nearly three years of legal efforts by the ACLU and American Muslim groups to obtain information that they say would demonstrate illegal surveillance by the FBI. The FBI will have 30 days to deliver approximately 100 pages of related surveillance memos and the files on the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its leaders to the judge.

Update: "Right-wing" Report Still Accumulating Critics and Supporters

in
Date: 
June 15, 2009
External Link: 
See the April 24, 2009 article: DHS Report on Rightwing Extremism Puts Napolitano on Defensive

A controversial DHS report that warned of "right-wing extremism" refuses to surrender its place in the public spotlight. Immediately condemned by veterans' groups and Republican lawmakers after its release in April 2009, the report is now being heralded by some as a timely warning in the wake of several acts of domestic violence that attracted national attention. The initial criticism of the report led to its withdrawal and triggered a House resolution exploring its creation.  

Audit Says FBI's Watchlist Riddled With Errors

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Date: 
June 8, 2009

On May 6, 2009 yet another audit, this time from the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General (OIG), has documented the high error rate and dysfunction of the government's central terrorist watchlist. In response the ACLU has called for Congressional oversight, and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) called the situation "unacceptable." The audit may spark action on legislation passed by the House of Representatives and pending in the Senate that would provide redress procedures for people wrongly placed on watchlists. The audit also raises significant questions for U.S. nonprofits, since the Department of Treasury Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines for charities and USAID's proposed Partner Vetting System promote list checking. It is time to re-think the role of watchlists in counterterrorism strategy, and not just try to fix a broken system.