OTTAWA – Strict measures to prevent terrorism financing are prompting Muslim charities in Canada to withdraw humanitarian assistance from countries in need, such as Syria and Yemen, because they fear losing access to banking services if they operate there, a new study warns.
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OTTAWA – Strict measures to prevent terrorism financing are prompting Muslim charities in Canada to withdraw humanitarian assistance from countries in need, such as Syria and Yemen, because they fear losing access to banking services if they operate there, a new study warns.
OTTAWA – Strict measures to prevent terrorism financing are prompting Muslim charities in Canada to withdraw humanitarian assistance from countries in need, such as Syria and Yemen, because they fear losing access to banking services if they operate there, a new study warns.
The study by University of Toronto law and history professor Anver Emon makes a dozen recommendations, aimed at various federal agencies, to help charities and other non-profit organizations provide assistance abroad without fear of repercussions.
The treatment of Muslim charities has come under scrutiny in recent years. Critics claim they have been unfairly singled out in the fight against terrorist financing.
A National Security and Intelligence Review Agency report released last October found “a lack of rigour” in the way the Canada Revenue Agency selects charities for audits over terrorism concerns. The report said the process introduces risks of bias and discrimination.
Emon, who co-authored an influential 2021 report on audits of Muslim charities, takes a broader look at Canada’s anti-terrorism financing measures and sanctions regime in the latest study.
The study acknowledges these mechanisms exist to protect the integrity of the financial system, prevent its misuse by criminals or terrorist organizations and uphold Canada’s international obligations as a member of the international Financial Action Task Force, which sets global standards.
It says the measures and tools also lead to unintended consequences.