Bi-weekly News & Opinion - July 23, 2026

Trump Administration Attempts to Extradite Palestinian Aid Donor From Spain

The United States has requested authorities in Spain to extradite renowned aid donor Fergie Chambers for allegedly providing material support to Hamas due to his charity work in Gaza. This is the first known case of the Trump Administration seeking extradition based on material support to Hamas—a move which threatens to expand executive power over humanitarian activities in Gaza. Read more at C&SN. (Jul. 23)

C&SN Lifts Up Civil Society Protection Measures at UN Counterterrorism Week

C&SN held a side-event during UN Counterterrorism Week to highlight a C&SN and Berkeley Human Rights Clinic's report, which drew on case studies to explore how states can better institute domestic oversight mechanisms in alignment with international law to protect civil society from broad national security measures. Read the summary of the event at C&SN. (Jul. 23)

C&SN Urges UN Human Rights Committee to Strengthen Protections for Freedom of Association

C&SN submitted input to the UN Human Rights Committee on a draft comment influencing a key international treaty relating to rights of freedom of association. C&SN emphasized that the General Comment must explicitly address how states weaponize counterterrorism measures to restrict freedom of association, particularly for religious minorities, civil society organizations, and political dissidents. (Jul. 21)

Legal Analysis: Prost v. Trump

Three International Criminal Court (ICC) judges sued the Trump Administration challenging the legality of Executive Order 14203, which declared a “national emergency” and directed the imposition of sanctions against ICC personnel investigating actions by U.S. and Israeli forces and personnel in Gaza. Sanctions against the ICC have caused a chilling effect for civil society looking to collaborate with the court to uphold international law. Read C&SN’s analysis of the case. (Jul. 20)

Sign-On Statement: Support the ICC as a Vital Court of Last Resort for Victims of Grave International Crimes

Following the State Department’s announcement that it would be launching a campaign to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court (ICC), C&SN joined 44 other civil society organizations and 64 individuals in an open letter demanding that the Trump Administration reverse course and instead support the institution which plays a crucial role in upholding international law. Read the full letter at C&SN. (Jul. 17)

Sign-On Statement: U.S. Government Must Rescind Groundless Sanctions on Palestine Activists

C&SN was joined by 19 other civil society organizations in a statement issued to the U.S. government that demanded the government rescind sanctions imposed on four activists that participated in a flotilla bound for Gaza. Read the full statement at C&SN. (Jul. 15)

Managing the Madness: A Nonprofit Policy Workshop 

Roundtable Technologies invites nonprofit professionals to a workshop where they will learn strategies to help improve streamlining technology policy creation, approval, distribution, and compliance, including: How modern policy management drastically reduces compliance risk and strengthens organizational governance; the secret to ensuring staff actually read, understand, and follow your data and tool guidelines; and practical strategies to upgrade your processes from operational chaos to streamlined efficiency.

• The workshop will be held virtually on Tuesday, Jul. 28 at 2PM ET. 
• Read the full invite details and register here. 

Consider registering as a C&SN Member (no financial commitment required) to receive our weekly Opportunity Spotlight Newsletter. There we share exclusive opportunities for civil society input, webinars, events, and working groups on key issue areas such as sanctions, material support, financial access, lawfare, civil society rights and resiliency, human rights in counter-terrorism and more. 

CIVICUS Monitor: Canada Update

C&SN monitors threats to freedoms of assembly, association, and expression for CIVICUS Monitor. Read the latest update for Canada. (Jul. 21)

In Context: Analyzing Secretary Rubio's International Criminal Court Op-Ed 

Legal professors fact check an op-ed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio published in the Wall Street Journal, which attempted to justify the State Department’s announcement of a campaign to “dismantle” the ICC. Read more at Just Security. (Jul 16)

State Department Launches Campaign to Dismantle International Criminal Court’s Threat to American Sovereignty

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a “sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the International Criminal Court [ICC] to U.S. sovereignty,” with tactics including further sanctions issued against the court and affiliated organizations, and increased scrutiny of nations that refuse to reject the ICC’s “false authority while relying on U.S. assistance.” Read the announcement at the Department of State. (Jul. 13)

Explore a full list of resources designed to support the nonprofit sector as they prepare and respond to lawsuits, disinformation, and other forms of attack on civil society at C&SN’s Civil Society Rights & Resiliency hub.

After “Political Terrorism” Summit, U.S Names 43 Americans + Groups

Ken Klippenstein reports that a new State Department report on Cuba is a “virtual government blacklist against left-wing Americans and groups.” (Jul. 20)

Trump Administration Activates Never-Before-Used ‘Alien Terrorist’ Deportation Court

POLITICO reports that the Trump Administration has tapped a never-before-used legal process in order to quickly deport foreign nationals deemed to be “alien terrorists” or their immediate family members. (Jul. 18)

Secretary Bessent Delivers Remarks Before the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism

During a summit on combating “Antifa,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscored that the Department of the Treasury would use all tools available to disrupt the financial networks of “far-left terrorists”—mentioned nonprofits as targets. Read the full remarks at U.S. Department of the Treasury. (Jul. 16)

U.S. Hosts Global Meet on ‘Far-Left Terror’: Who’s Attending, Why It Matters 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a summit bringing together leaders from 65 countries attempting to convince them of the need to combat “Far-Left Terror.” Al Jazeera reports. (Jul. 16)

Arrest of American Who Has Given $1m in Aid to Palestine Prompts Fears of ‘Growing Repression from Trump’

The extradition request for a renowned humanitarian donor residing in Spain who the Trump Administration alleges provides material support for Hamas could cause a “chilling effect” for support of Palestine. Timothy Pratt reports for The Guardian. (Jul. 15)

The Dangers of Florida’s New “Terrorist” Designations

Governor DeSantis’ intent to designate prominent Muslim groups and “Antifa” as “terrorist organizations” under a new Florida raises “serious constitutional concerns,” including rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Elly Page writes at Just Security. (Jul. 14)

Why an Obscure Corporate Compliance Framework Could Derail the Nonprofit Sector 

Going forward, a set of rules used by financial institutions to vet and monitor their customers may be applied to the nonprofit sector under a “Know Your Grantee” scheme proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department. Sam Chery writes on how this rule could undermine nonprofits for Inside Philanthropy. (Jul. 22)

Top Treasury Tax Official Kenneth Kies Ousted After Clashes With Trump White House Over IRS Audits

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Treasury Department’s top tax policy official, Kenneth Kies, was fired after he warned that the White House risked violating laws prohibiting senior officials’ involvement in IRS audits. (Jul. 16)

New Obligations for Non-Profit Organizations Regarding Counter-Terrorism Financing

Attorneys at Arias break down a new counterterrorism law in Nicaragua that includes new requirements on disclosing “beneficial owners” in the nonprofit sector. (July 2026)

U.S. Sends Food for Cuban Residents While Still Pressuring Island’s Government

The State Department announced that a flight carrying 700 packages of food will be delivered to Cuba, news which comes as the U.S. continues to pressure the Cuban government with sanctions and an oil blockade. Daniel Kozin and David Fischer report for Associated Press. (Jul. 21)

Cuba Accuses Trump Administration of ‘Criminal and Genocidal Intent’ After New Sanctions on Tourism, Energy Sectors

Cuba has accused the Trump Administration of pursuing a "criminal and genocidal" policy after Washington sanctioned 10 state entities spanning tourism, energy, foreign trade, shipping, financial services and domestic security. Pedro Camacho reports for Latin Times. (Jul. 14)

‘Zero Evidence’: How Judges and Grand Juries Have Rejected the Trump Administration Efforts to Investigate and Prosecute

The Trump Administration has aggressively attempted to wield the government’s broad powers to target its political opponents, but courts and grand juries have repeatedly rejected the administration in their attempts to do so. Dani Schulkin, Ryan Goodman, and Huzaifa Khan explore this pushback at Just Security. (Jul. 20)

Groups Sue over Trump Administration Sanctions on ICC

A new lawsuit issued by human rights groups argues that the Trump Administration sanctions on the International Criminal Court have illegally impeded their ability to advocate for Palestinians. Eric Tucker reports for Associated Press. (Jul. 15)

Mahmoud Khalil Is Suing the White House and Heritage Foundation

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration and a group of right-wing actors, including the Heritage Foundation, that have targeted him over his involvement in anti-Israel protests at Columbia University. Sophie Hurwitz reports for Mother Jones. (Jul. 14)

Florida Officials Pause Designation of Prominent Civil Rights Groups as “Terrorist Organizations”

Florida officials paused their plans to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations as a “domestic terrorist organization” following a lawsuit by American Civil Liberties Union, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and their partners. Read the press release. (Jul. 14)

Issuance of Venezuela-related Frequently Asked Question 

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a new FAQ on General License 60, which provides guidance on Venezuela sanctions carveouts related to earthquake relief. (Jul. 17)

Sanctions Are Making Venezuela’s Earthquake Toll So Much Worse 

“The largest life-saving action in the near future of post-earthquake Venezuela will come from getting the biggest players in the world — the United States along with its European partners — to stop blocking access to Venezuela’s billions of dollars of assets,” writes Mark Weisbrot in the LA Times. (Jul. 11)

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