Bi-weekly News and Opinion Roundup - February 20, 2020
New from CSN
A new UN working paper summarizes previously published recommendations to protect principled humanitarian action impacted by counterterrorism legislation. The recommendations span a broad range of critical subjects including humanitarian exemptions, counterterrorism-related language, bank derisking, sanctions, and the impact of counterterror measures on civic space and human rights. Read the CSN Report Abstract. (February 20). Read the CSN Report Abstract. (February 20)
Featured Resource
In recent years, two organizations have launched smear campaigns to undermine the efforts of civil society organizations that support Muslim communities. These groups mischaracterize the work of charities, and their disinformation campaigns often fuel politically motivated lawfare attacks. Read the CSN Factsheet to learn more about the history of these organizations.
Humanitarian Access
Conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state is escalating, blocking humanitarian aid and the flow of information. Today, eight of Rakhine’s 17 townships are off limits – or severely restricted – to most aid groups, according to OCHA. Additionally, the Myanmar government has imposed an internet blackout across nine conflict-hit townships in Rakhine and neighbouring Chin State, making it difficult to gather information on conflict casualties and humanitarian needs. Esther Htusan provides analysis at The New Humanitarian. (February 18)
The humanitarian aid system is paralyzed in Yemen due to red tape, movement restrictions, and concerns over safety. Regulation from the Houthi rebel aid coordination wing, SCMCHA, often hampers aid delivery through bureaucratic hoops. Annie Slemrod and Ben Parker report at The New Humanitarian. (February 12)
A recent report from OCHA found that 40 percent of North Koreans are in need of humanitarian aid. North Korea remains under tight international economic sanctions, but exemptions are granted for humanitarian assistance. However, a lack of transparency and restrictions on access for aid workers have long impeded aid groups operating in the country. Read the full story from Thomas Meresca at UPI. (February 12)
The Trump administration is considering suspending much of its humanitarian assistance to Yemen as part of an international response to new restrictions imposed by Iranian-linked Houthi rebels. The United States is currently one of Yemen’s top humanitarian aid donors; if the cut is implemented it could inflame an already dire humanitarian crisis. Missy Ryan and John Hudson report at the Washington Post. (February 9)
USAID pushes back on criticism of counterterrorism contract policy in Nigeria. The clause requires implementing organizations to get the agency's approval before giving assistance to individuals previously held captive by Boko Haram, raising concerns that humanitarian organizations would need to vet beneficiaries in crisis zones. Michael Igoe reports at Devex. (February 18)
Counterterrorism
An opinion piece in Open Democracy analyzes the implications of the “whole of society” strategy for countering violent extremism in the UK. Followinggrowing counterterrorism policy trends that encourage the public to actively report and prevent extremism, Azfar Shafi argues that this framework is a dangerous step in promoting spying as a civic duty. Read the full article at Open Democracy. (February 12)
Lawmakers in Egypt toughen punishments for terrorist related crimes. The Egyptian parliament’s legislative committee approved amendments to the counterterrorism law, permitting a sentence of death for those funding terrorist groups. Read the report at Egypt Today. (February 10)
Peacebuilding
A Nigerian commissioner said that efforts to reintegrate former combatants is often misunderstood. In 2016, the Nigerian military launched “Operation Safe Corridor,” an effort to deradicalize and rehabilitate ex-Boko Haram members. Following public concern that terrorists responsible for violence are being forgiven, Nigeria’s Borno state commissioner said “you also have to understand that this set of people joined [Boko Haram] involuntarily as they are forced to do so.” Read the full story at The Cable. (February 17)
The UN Security Council met on February 13 to discuss the importance of transitional justice mechanisms that are locally owned and focus on the needs of victims. Delegates from UN Member States called for the Security Council to take decisive approaches to conflicts in concert with other United Nations bodies. Read the full summary of the meeting via the United Nations. (February 13)
Sanctions
On February 13 Congresswoman Ilhan Omar introduced a package of seven bills that she says aims to overhaul US foreign policy and help fight human rights abuses around the globe. Omar's package, the "Pathway to Peace", includes provisions to ensure Congress has oversight powers on US sanctions and declarations of emergency. Sheren Khelel reports at the Middle East Eye. (February 14)
