Bi-weekly News & Opinion - March 14, 2024 | |
Defense for Children International–Palestine, et al. v. Joseph Biden et al.
The lawsuit claims that the U.S. “is failing to uphold its legal obligation to prevent genocide, and President Biden and other high-level officials are actively aiding and abetting the Israeli government’s genocide of the Palestinian people.” Read C&SN’s legal analysis. (Mar. 14)
U.S. Support to Israel Reinforces Gaza Aid Restrictions, Violates U.S. Law
On Mar. 12, C&SN, along with 25 humanitarian, human rights, and arms control organizations, signed a letter to President Biden, expressing that U.S. security assistance to Israel has contributed to humanitarian aid restrictions in Gaza in clear violation of U.S. law. Read more at C&SN. (Mar. 13)
Broad Coalition Launches CeasefireAction.com to Build Pressure on Congress Ahead of Israel's Planned Attack on Rafah
C&SN joined 28 partner organizations in launching CeasefireAction.com, a grassroots action tool to apply urgent pressure on members of Congress to call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire. Read the full story at C&SN. (Mar. 6)
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C&SN Opportunity Spotlight
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, and more.
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Gender, Counter-terrorism Financing, and De-risking: Women Pay the Price
C&SN’s latest issue brief, published on International Women’s Day (IWD), provides an overview of the gendered impacts of counter-terrorism financing measures and de-risking, highlighting the disproportionate impacts these have on women. (Mar. 8)
The Wolfsberg Group on Countering Terrorist Financing
Misapplication of countering the finance of terrorism (CFT) measures over the last twenty years has led to unintended consequences, such as “de-risking” legitimate customers from financial services. A recently issued statement from Wolfsberg Group describes the role of financial institutions (FIs) in combating terrorism finance, and underscores the importance of implementing a risk-based approach. (Mar. 2024)
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Sri Lanka: Repression of Civic Space Threatens Financial Reform
“The IMF and other international partners supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery recognize that this crisis has its roots in misgovernance and corruption,” Human Rights Watch Asia director Meenakshi Ganguly said. “If their efforts are to be successful, they need to stand firm against the government’s attempts to curtail fundamental civil and political rights.” One prominent issue is the Anti-Terrorism Bill, currently before Sri Lankan parliament, which contains sweeping new speech-related offenses and arbitrary powers of arrest. Read more Human Rights Watch. (Mar. 12)
Tunisian Civil Society Fears Plan to Limit Foreign Funding
Tunisian civil society groups fear the government is planning to starve them of foreign funding under the pretext of fighting money laundering and terrorism. Read more at France24. (Mar. 4)
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Foreign Agent Law Faces Sweeping Changes
It has been decades since there have been major legislative or regulatory updates to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which imposed registration and reporting requirements for individuals and entities seeking to sway U.S. policy or the public on matters of foreign interests. Taylor Giorno reports for The Hill. (Mar. 5)
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