Workshop on Human Rights-Compliant Approaches to Countering the Financing of Terrorism

Cebu, The Philippines, 19 – 21 November 2024 – INITIATE.MY participated in a three-day workshop on “Human Rights-Compliant Approaches to Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Risk-Based Implementation of FATF Recommendation 8.” Organised by the International Institute for Justice and Rule of Law (IIJ), the workshop convened representatives from government bodies, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organisations across Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos) and the United States, focusing on counter-terrorist financing (CTF) and broader counterterrorism efforts, including preventing and countering violent extremism.

The workshop featured expert contributions from organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These organisations shared insights on international legal frameworks for mitigating the risks of terrorist financing within the non-profit sector. Discussions centred on implementing Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 8, which seeks to address the misuse of non-profit organisations (NPOs) for terrorist financing while acknowledging their essential societal roles. Participants explored strategies to identify high-risk NPOs and apply proportionate, risk-based oversight measures that uphold human rights, promote gender inclusion, and foster cooperation between governments and NPOs.

Falisha Aufiya, Project Officer at INITIATE.MY, explored Malaysia’s challenges in countering terrorist financing through a presentation titled “Improving Multistakeholder Cooperation Between Government, Corporate, and Civil Society Actors on Countering Terrorist Financing (CTF).” She outlined Malaysia’s challenges in combating terrorist financing, highlighting issues such as porous borders, the misuse of financial technologies, and vulnerabilities in NPOs and informal cash transfer systems. Falisha also discussed the reintegration barriers faced by former security detainees charged under anti-terrorism laws, including stigma, financial restrictions, and fractured family relationships. She emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach that combines risk-based oversight, financial inclusivity, and a tailored rehabilitation programme to reduce recidivism and enhance stakeholder collaboration.

Please find her full speech attached.

The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders from various nations to exchange perspectives on countering terrorist financing and to develop locally tailored solutions. It reinforced the importance of adopting human rights-compliant, risk-based approaches to address these complex challenges effectively.