In recent years, non profit organisations (NPOs) around the world have faced operational and legal restrictions due to counter-terrorism regulations. Banks have blocked or closed accounts of organisations working in fragile states and conflict zones; laws have been enacted to restrict foreign funding or to introduce burdensome governance and audit requirements; human rights defenders have been prosecuted; and the right to protest has been limited. This has had a negative effect on NPOs’ abilities to implement activities and protect the needs of beneficiaries, especially in fragile states and conflict areas. These restrictions are often justified by citing the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force – an international body fighting terrorism and money laundry.

We would like to have a look in this session on how the FATF works , how antiterrorism measures linked to the FATF effect the NPO sector and what civil society can do to prevent negative effects .