Advocacy Action Center
PRESS RELEASE
--For Immediate Release--
September 15, 2008
Contact: Vanessa Dick, Grantmakers Without Borders, (240) 988-2683, vanessa@gwob.net
New Fact Sheets Provide Concise Explanation of How the War on Terror Hampers Charitable Activities
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2008—The Global Nonprofit Information Network (GNIN) today released seven fact sheets that concisely document how the war on terror hampers charitable activities.
Research now demonstrates that the role of charities in terrorist financing was greatly exaggerated – since 9/11, no U.S. charity has been convicted of materially aiding terrorists. Nonetheless, counterterrorism measures continue to inhibit charitable activities, targeting programs designed to address the root causes of terrorism. As GNIN noted, "The penalties threatened and burdens imposed by the U.S. government actively discourage charities from doing vital work in the world's most troubled areas, places where a positive U.S. presence would support an American message of tolerance and compassion, and better protect global security."
Current counterterrorism measures rely on ineffective and burdensome due diligence measures that provide no protection against legal sanction and unpredictably result in penalties that are disproportionately harsh. GNIN concludes that, "a better federal counterterrorism strategy would improve charities' effectiveness and keep America safer."
COUNTERTERRORISM & CHARITIES AT A GLANCE (Download pdf)
- U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM LAWS ARE IMPACTING CHARITIES
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- U.S. CHARITIES ARE NOT A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF TERRORIST FUNDING
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- CHARITIES ARE BEING SHUT DOWN THROUGH A PROCESS THAT IS SECRETIVE, ARBITRARY AND UNFAIR
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- TREASURY DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ARE UNCLEAR AND UNFAIR, AND PENALTIES ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY HARSH
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- COUNTERTERRORISM POLICIES DISCOURAGE CHARITIES FROM ATTACKING THE ROOT CAUSES OF TERRORISM
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- THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT'S COUNTERTERRORISM POLICIES ARE UNFAIRLY SUSPICIOUS OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF CHARITIES AND STYLES OF GIVING
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- A BETTER FEDERAL COUNTERTERRORISM STRATEGY WOULD IMPROVE CHARITIES' EFFECTIVENESS AND KEEP AMERICA SAFER
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About GNIN
GNIN was launched in March 2007 by Urgent Action Fund, Grantmakers Without Borders, and OMB Watch to foster information sharing focused on counterterrorism measures affecting the nonprofit sector and global civil society.
About Urgent Action Fund
Urgent Action Fund, as part of women's rights movements worldwide, supports women's rights defenders working to create cultures of justice, equality and peace. We provide rapid response grants that enable strategic interventions, and participate in collaborative advocacy and research.
About Grantmakers Without Borders
Grantmakers Without Borders is a philanthropic network dedicated to increasing funding for international social justice and environmental sustainability. Our members, presently numbering 150 international grantmaking entities, include private and public foundations, individual donors, and other allies in philanthropy.
About OMB Watch
OMB Watch is a nonprofit government watchdog organization dedicated to promoting government accountability, citizen participation in public policy decisions, and the use of fiscal and regulatory policy to serve the public interest. Along with Grantmakers Without Borders, OMB Watch published a related paper in July 2008 titled Collateral Damage: How the War on Terror Hurts Charities, Foundations, and the People They Serve. Collateral Damage is available online at http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/4290. Hard copies of the paper can be purchased from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001D6RZJO
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