Counter-Terrorism and Civil Society

This compilation synthesizes counter-terrorism measures affecting civil society since 2001.

Nonprofit Organizations and the Combatting of Terrorism Financing: A Proportionate Response

This World Bank Working Paper argues that nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are a force for good in counter-terrorism efforts and that countries should address the threat posed by NPOs in a proportional way when implementing the Financial Action Task Force standard on NPOs.

Counter-Terrorism, 'Policy Laundering' and the FATF: Legalising Surveillance, Regulating Civil Society

This report examines how FATF's recommendation on NPOs has been used to legitimize a global clampdown on civil society. It draws on studies by ICNL and others and includes an appendix containing compliance ratings of 159 countries.

Financial Action Task Force Documents Targeting Nonprofit Organizations

This entry includes FATF's Recommendation 8, the Interpretive Note, International Best Practices for Combating the Abuse of NPOs, and the Methodology for conducting FATF evaluations and assessments.

NGO Responses to Counterterrorism Regulations after September 11th

This International Journal for Not-for-Profit Law (IJNL) article categorizes different ways NGOs have responded to post-9/11 counter-terrorism restrictions in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, and Japan.

Counter-Terrorism and the Enabling Legal and Political Environment for Civil Society: A Comparative Analysis of "War on Terror" States

This IJNL article analyzes the adverse impact of counter-terrorism measures on civil society in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with additional references to Canada, Netherlands, and the European Union.

Countering Violent Extremism: A Peacebuilding Perspective

This US Institute of Peace report explains the role civil society can play in building resistance to the drivers of violent extremism and in helping to reform the security bodies charged with counter-terrorism.

Civil Society, Aid, and Security Post-9/11

This IJNL article examines the effects of the post-9/11 global security framework on international aid.

Friend not Foe: Opening Spaces for Civil Society Engagement to Prevent Violent Extremism

This publication from 2011 assesses the negative impact of overly broad counter-terrorism measures and highlights the work of CSOs to reduce violent extremism, with case studies from Colombia, Kenya, India, and the Philippines.

The Supreme Court, Material Support, and the Lasting Impact of Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project

This law review article argues that although the scope of Holder is limited, "the mere prospect of prosecution" under the material support statute may have a "substantial impact" on civil society and advocacy groups.

United Nations General Assembly, Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association (2012)

In this report the Special Rapporteur details the best practices that promote the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. In paragraphs 21 and 70, he urges states not to impair human rights in the name of combating terrorism.

Civil Society and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Opportunities and Challenges

This report surveys the work of CSOs related to the four pillars of the 2006 UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.