Blog: The Fine Print / posts by Suraj Sazawal
Report: US and EU Must Rethink Counterterrorism Measures that Violate Our Shared Values
Jun 15, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
On May 27, 2009, Anthony Dworkin of the European Council on Foreign Relations published a report, Beyond the "War on Terror": Towards a New Transatlantic Framework for Counterterrorism, that calls on European leaders to recommit to finding common ground with the U.S. on shaping future counterterrorism policies.
read in fullCohen Confirmed as Treasury Assistant Secretary of Terrorist Financing
May 14, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
On May 1, 2009, the Senate Banking Committee confirmed David S. Cohen as Assistant Treasury Secretary of Terrorist Financing. He served as Acting Deputy General Counsel and Associate Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury during the Clinton administration.
read in fullReport: Blurred Lines between Government and NGOs Lead to Surge in Violence Toward Aid Workers
May 13, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
An April 2009 policy brief from the Overseas Development Institute's (ODI) Humanitarian Policy Group details the recent escalating of violence toward aid workers. Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: 2009 Updates continues the findings from a 2006 report but with special attention toward the violent developments in Sudan, Afghanistan and Somalia (over 60 percent of
read in fullUSAID Extends Effective Date of PVS by 90 Days
May 5, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
On May 6, 2009, the Federal Register published another announcement extending the effective date of USAID's Partner Vetting System (PVS). It is expected that USAID plans to extend the effective date by 90 days, which will move it to August 4, 2009. The effective date of the rule would have been May 4 had the extension not been implemented. USAID is still without an Adminstrator.
read in fullReport: International Grantmaking Expected to Increase Despite Economic Woes
Apr 28, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
In February 2009, the Foundation Center released an encouraging analysis of international grantmaking for 2009 and beyond. International Grantmaking IV: An Update on U.S. Foundation Trends analyzes current and future trends of foundation giving to NGOs supporting international projects and programs. According to the report, despite the global economic downturn, the "prospects for international giving in the near term are less pessimistic" than many had anticipated.
read in fullJudge Rejects DOJ's Claims of Secrecy in Wiretapping Case
Apr 21, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
On Friday April 17 Judge Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern California District ordered the government to meet with attorneys representing the charity, Al-Haramain, and either agree on a protective order that would safeguard classified information, or submit a statement to the court detailing where they agree and cannot agree. Where there is disagreement, each party is required to state their position.
Effective Date for PVS Delayed One Month
Apr 2, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
USAID's controversial Partner Vetting System's (PVS) effective date has been delayed until May 4, 2009. The Federal Register announced the delay a day before the original deadline on April 3. The final outcome for PVS remains undecided, but critics still warn that PVS is incomplete, unnecessary and dangerous.
read in fullCohen Nominated as Assistant Treasury Secretary of Terrorist Financing
Mar 16, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
Nominated for Assistant Treasury Secretary of terrorist financing, David S. Cohen is experienced in complex civil litigation, white collar criminal defense, internal investigations and anti-money laundering counseling. Cohen served concurrently as Acting Deputy General Counsel and Associate Deputy General Counsel of the US Department of the Treasury during the Bill Clinton administration. If confirmed by the Senate, Cohen will be at the center of steering policy of terrorist financing related issues. It remains unclear how his nomination will impact the decisions of Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Stuart Levey, who appears unlikely to be removed from his position in the near future.
read in fullInternational Commission of Jurists Report Calls for Change in Counterterrorism Laws
Mar 2, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
After a three year investigation of the worldwide impact of counterterrorism laws in 40 countries, including 16 hearings, the prestigious International Commission of Jurists relased a report Assessing the Damage, Urging Action. It finds that many governments, including the U.S., have "confronted the threat of terrorism with ill-conceived measures that have undermined cherished values and resulted in serious human rights violations." It calls on governments to re-asses their strategies and not let temporary measures become permanent.
read in fullKey Treasury Department Positions Remain Vacant; Holdovers Might Not Be Long-term Appointees
Feb 27, 2009 by Suraj Sazawal
In the last Charity and Security Network Newsletter, we noted that the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the Bush administration, Stuart Levey, was retained by Treasury officials. While this raises concerns about the potential for developing sensible counter terrorism finance policies, it might not be a long lasting situation.
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