On February 27, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) issued a new license allowing certain humanitarian aid transactions involving the Central Bank of Iran (CBI). The new humanitarian safeguards reverse the complications created when the U.S. designated the CBI as a terrorist entity. Find the full analysis at C&SN News. (February 27)
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced a package of bills on Feb. 12 that seek to redefine U.S. foreign policy with a new progressive baseline, which she dubbed the “Pathway to Peace.” One bill, the Congressional Oversight of Sanctions Act (HR 5879) would increase Congressional oversight over declarations of national emergencies and presidential sanctions powers. Read the story at C&SN News. (February 27)
InterAction published a comprehensive report highlighting pressing humanitarian and development challenges facing the world in 2020. The report provides snapshots of key issues and regions based on findings from InterAction’s network of nearly 200 organizations. Find the full report at InterAction.
In celebrating World NGO Day, the Council of Europe held a seminar analyzing the challenges of small, grassroots initiatives working in a sector that has historically been dominated by institutionalized INGOs and umbrella organizations. Watch the webinar at the Council of Europe. (February 28)
A representative of the Defense for Children International - Palestine, was recently invited to speak at the UN in Belgium to brief members of the Security Council on children’s rights abuses in Palestine. Following coordinated disinformation campaigns launched by right-wing groups such as NGO Monitor, the invitation was canceled. Read the full story from Brad Parker at +972 Magazine. (February 24)
Recognizing the threat of domestic terrorism in the US, new laws are being proposed to streamline and clarify the patchwork of charges now used against homegrown extremists, charges that often avoid mentioning terrorism. Opponents counter that a new law would amount to a worrisome expansion of government powers, and might face constitutional challenges on the grounds of infringing on free speech. Neil MacFarqhuar reports at the New York Times. (February 25)
Following news that left-wing organizations in the UK such as “Extinction Rebellion” and “Stand Up to Racism” were added to a Prevent program counterterrorism list, new data shows that in 2019, of 5,738 referrals, 77 percent were deemed not suitable for the program. Read the report by Jamie Grierson at The Guardian. (February 21)
In an effort to comply with FATF regulation, Pakistan has taken action against 47 “high risk” nonprofits, according to theannual report of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Sohail Sarfraz writes at the Business Recorder. (February 29)
UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lise Grande recently warned that donors may pull funding should more aid be diverted to Houthi rebel groups. Referring to the dangerous conditions for aid workers she stated, “… the conditions must be in place, if they are not we can’t work.” Report from UrduPoint. (March 3)
The Swiss Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over recent military escalation in Idlib province, and has called for warring parties to grant humanitarian organizations permanent access to populations in need. Report fromSwissinfo. (February 28)
All obstacles, complications, and procedures, which the ousted Al Bashir regime put in place to obstruct the work of humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies in Sudan, have been removed. Read the full story at Relief Web. (February 26)
USAID stated it will suspend aid to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, where most of the country’s people live, if the rebels don’t remove impediments obstructing aid operations. “We continue to do everything we can to avoid a reduction in aid in northern Yemen,” the agency said. The US provided about $700 million in aid to Yemen last year. Maggie Michael reports at the Washington Post. (February 24)
Aid agencies are unable to respond effectively to the crisis in northeastern Nigeria due to worsening insecurity and stifling operational requirements imposed by military and civilian authorities. Concerns over safety and limiting counterterrorism law has prevented aid organizations from working in regions that require assistance the most. Report via Human Rights Watch. (March 4)
Although the Treasury Department issued a license to allow humanitarian aid to go to Iran through a Swiss channel, banks and businesses are still reluctant to finance those transactions. Senator Elizabeth Warren raised concerns that sanctions regimes may lead to more coronavirus deaths in the region. J. Edward Moreno reports at The Hill. (February 28)
The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday issued a license allowing certain humanitarian trade with the Central Bank of Iran (CBI). The license allows humanitarian-related transactions involving the CBI that were prohibited following U.S. counterterrorism sanctions imposed in September on the central bank, according to guidance issued alongside the license by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Samuel Rubenfeld writes at Kharon Brief. (February 27)