International Issues

Department of State’s Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)

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Date: 
January 26, 2012

Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) are foreign organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State. As of September 2011:

U.S. Human Rights Commitments to UN Could Help Charities

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Date: 
March 31, 2011

The United States took the final step in the United Nations Human Rights Counicl's (HRC) review of the U.S. human rights record in Geneva, Switzerland on March 18, 2011, making commitments that could positively impact the operations of charities and grantmakers that encounter barriers to aid that national security laws create. The extent of such potential changes will depend on effective follow-up communications between the U.S. government and the U.S. nonprofit sector.

EU to Review Counterterrorism Policy

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Date: 
December 19, 2011

Post 9/11 counter-terrorism measures taken in Europe should be properly assessed with regard to their cost, effectiveness, democratic scrutiny and impact on civil liberties, says a resolution passed by the European Parliament on Dec. 14, 2011. It says, "Remarkably little has been done to assess to what degree EU counter-terrorism policies have achieved the stated objectives." The resolution calls for a "full and detailed" evaluation of such policies and the extent to which they are subject to democratic scrutiny."

Fragile Relief Efforts in Somalia Threatened by Aid Ban

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Date: 
December 1, 2011

A ban on 16 aid agencies from operating in southern Somalia by al-Shabaab must be lifted, said the head UN official for the country on Nov. 30, 2011. In an interview with Reuters, UN humanitarian coordinator Mark Bowden also warned that intensified fighting in Somalia could have dire consequences for civilians trapped in territory controlled by the terrorist group. In July, the UN declared a famine in central and southern Somalia with at least 2 million people at risk of starvation. 

EU: Time to Examine Counterterrorism Policies

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Date: 
July 18, 2011

Counterterrorism policy must be based on evidence and not assumptions, says a resolution approved by members of the European Parliament (EP) on July 12, 2011.  Supporters of the resolution called for a comprehensive evaluation of measures taken to combat terrorism in Europe and urge the European Commission (EC) to study the substantial costs and burdens of counter-terrorism policy. 

To Charities and Grantmakers: Don't Pass Up This Opportunity!

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Date: 
March 31, 2011
Author: 
Kay Guinane

The United National Universal Periodic Review process has created an important opportunity for American charities and grantmakers to work with the United States government to align national security rules for charities with human rights obligations.

UK Government Proposes Updates, Reforms to Counterterrorism Policies

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Date: 
February 15, 2011

Parts of a bill proposed by the United Kingdom’s (UK) coalition government on Feb. 11, 2011 would reform counterterrorism measures and increase judicial review of government surveillance practices. The Protection of Freedoms Bill was introduced after an 18 month review of the UK’s counterterrorism policy found that certain laws passed after 9/11 and the London bomb attacks were excessive and violated civil liberties. The bill's drafters rejected proposals that would have allowed banning organizations based on their ideology. The bill is in the early stages of the UK legislative process and is not expected to receive a vote in the House of Commons until late 2011 or early 2012. 

Report: Improving Civil Society-Military Dialogue in Afghanistan To Counter Terror

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Date: 
October 18, 2010

Achieving long-term stability and peace in Afghanistan requires integrating defense, diplomacy, and development assistance efforts. Military actors increasingly view development work as an important cog in the counterinsurgency strategy, but often invite development groups to participate only after the projects have been selected and designed.  A September 2010 report from the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) says expanded dialogue and improved coordination between high level military officials and civil society groups earlier in the process will lead to a stronger overall counterinsurgency approach. 

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the U.S. Update

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Date: 
October 13, 2010

Scheduled to start on Nov. 5, 2010, the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the U.S. will evaluate the U.S. on meeting its human rights obligations. On Nov. 9, the troika of countries (chosen at random) assigned to the review the U.S. (France, Japan and Cameroon) will offer their recommendations for the U.S. to the entire UN Human Rights Council.  The Charity and Security Network’s submission, which addresses the discrepancy between U.S. security measures and the State Department’s Guiding Principles on Non-Governmental Organizations (Guiding Principles), was cited in the UN’s Summary of Stakeholders report, saying, “[It is]recommended that the US re-assess its national security and counter-terrorism laws as applied to civil society organizations.” 

Obama Unveils Policy Directive on Development

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Date: 
October 1, 2010

Calling development work “vital to U.S. national security,” President Barack Obama introduced his administration’s global development strategy on Sept. 22, 2010. The Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development (PPD) elevates aid and development work, alongside diplomacy and defense, as “a core pillar” of American foreign policy. The strategy drew praise from prominent aid and development groups, including InterAction and Oxfam.