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This workshop was attended by more than 25 diverse NGOs from a range of countries including those of Central Asia, the Middle East, North America, Southern Africa, South Asia and Western Europe. There was also input from selected representatives from institutions such as the European Commission’s Directorate General Justice and the UK Charities Commission.
Discussions highlighted the need to understand the processes taking place in individual countries, to assess the long-term consequences for the development sector, and for country-specific development goals and strategies to deal with some of the effects of counter terrorism laws and regulations.
The key themes of the workshop were framed around the following policy concerns:
• NGOs and Foreign Policy
The development aims of NGOs are being subordinated to an agenda led by the geo- political and military security needs of Northern governments. This makes NGOs highly vulnerable to shifts in international relations which directly affect their room for manoeuvre in terms of impacts at national level.
• Restrictions Placed by CTMs upon Public Space
Since countries are encouraged to follow the dominant security agenda by replicating CTM legislation themselves, it was suggested that this could easily be used by more authoritarian states to restrict civil liberties and political opposition.
• The Need for Compliance
Compliance requirements, to ensure that NGO funding is not fuelling ‘terrorist’ activity, affects both Northern and Southern civil society. This creates a legal minefield for NGOs in their work, with lists of proscribed organisations, certification requirements, and criminal liability for NGO trustees and directors.
• Constraints Placed on NGO Programmes
The above constraints are likely to change how NGOs operate. The need to ensure that funds do not fall into the hands of proscribed organisations heightens risk of aversion, and narrows the scope for more challenging and innovative work between Northern NGOs and Southern partners. At the grassroots level, it risks eroding trust in NGOs as they are increasingly forced to reorientate their priorities to emphasise security-based outcomes.
Dr Alan Fowler's workshop presentation on CTMs, Development and Civil Society.
AF presentation - CTMs, development and civsoc.ppt (56Kb)
The views expressed in this section are those of civil society organisations in different regions, and do not necessarily reflect those of INTRAC.