Solutions

Power Point of Proposed Policy Reforms

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This power point reviews the Charity and Security Networks' proposed model policies for national security laws applied to charities, aid, development and other nonprofit organizations.  To view it, click on the file attachment below. It will make a download box in the lower left corner of your screen. Click on it to open.

Update: Broad Coalition of Nonprofits Asks Obama to Put Humanitarian Imperative First in Fixing Problems for Charities

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Date: 
June 4, 2010

Updated: On June 4, 2010 almost 40 nonprofits, grantmakers  and charitable groups wrote to President Barack Obama asking him to fulfill the commitment made in his June 2009 speech in Cairo to address problems current national security laws create for charitable giving. The organizations represent a broad cross section of the charitable community, including grantmakers, humanitarian aid and development groups, peacebuilding programs, human rights advocates and more. 

Huffington Post: Time to Lift Ban on Conflict Resolution Programs & Humanitarian Aid Operating in Global Hot Spots

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Date: 
July 19, 2011

Like Batman's enemy Two-Face, the United States government has two sides when it comes to national security and the work of charities and other nonprofit groups. The friendly side talks about the importance of civil society in addressing root causes of violent extremism, the need to aid civilians in conflict zones and the important role community organizations play in fostering democracy. Read more....

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. 

Cross-section of Nonprofits Support Reform of Security Laws That Hinder Charities

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Date: 
July 18, 2011

On June 21, 2011 a group of 33 organizations released a statement calling for constitutional and human rights principles to guide the U.S. government’s approach to national security rules and policies impacting legitimate charitable work. 

USIP Report: Reform Listing Procedures to Turn Groups Away From Violence

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A May 2010 report from U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) calls for reforming national security policies to allow for international engagement with armed groups listed as terrorists for peacemaking purposes.  Mediating Peace with Proscribed Armed Groups says reforms such as increasing transparency during the listing process could help conflict mediation groups find peaceful means of turning an armed group away from violence. The report recommends reforming the listing process to better reflect the fluid nature of geopolitics with incentives for groups to become delisted. 

Proposals from Muslim Advocates

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In 2008 Muslim Advocates, the charitable arm of the National Association of Muslim Lawyers, published a list of proposed reforms. 

Report: Charities Threatened by Government Barriers

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Date: 
May 11, 2009

An April 2008 report from the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law and World Movement for Democracy Secretariat at the National Endowment for Democracy sounds the alarm for the governmental barriers impeding civil society groups. Combined with the usual repression of human rights and activism, the report focuses on the "subtle governmental efforts to restrict the space in which civil society originations-especially democracy assistance groups- operate."  

Safeguarding Charities in the War on Terror

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Date: 
May 11, 2009

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, federal measures intended to cut off terrorism funding have imposed undue burdens on the nonprofit sector. This report addresses unbalanced anti-terrorist financing regulations and guidelines and suggests a clear, sensible system, under which nonprofit organizations and foundations can pursue legitimate charitable activities. 

First U.S. Charities Gain Accreditation in Muslim Advocates Program

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Date: 
October 1, 2009

Attempting to reduce the apprehension surrounding charitable giving, on Aug. 25, 2009 three American Muslim charities became the first groups to complete an accreditation program. Partnering with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Muslim Advocates started the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program (MCAP) in August 2008 to help charities comply with federal regulations and financial rules.