Following its first meeting in 2018, the Global Expert Hub on AML/CFT reconvened in Vienna in May 2019. ECNL, ICNL and HSC brought together experts and activists from 29 countries to connect and share strategies on how to push back restrictions driven by AML/CFT measures.
Importantly, the event also allowed for the Hub to engage with the FATF Secretariat to exchange reflections on the implementation of Recommendation 8. The Secretariat has also invited selected government officials attending the FATF Private Sector Consultative Forum to join the discussion.
The representative of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism (CT) shared findings and recommendations from recent reports of the mandate on the role of CT measures in the closing of civic space.
Hub members also discussed what makes a successful advocacy strategy to respond to FATF-related justifications and arguments governments use when proposing restrictive laws. Drawing on the collective knowledge of Hub members, we also developed a list of evidence to support challenging such restrictions and framing legal arguments. We also worked in sub-groups to discuss regional developments and any potential collaborative strategies to address them.
And that's a wrap!
Thank you to all our participants and trainers for the intensive discussions and great work during the 2nd global #ExpertHubAML_CFT workshop!@ICNLAlliance @HSCollective @fatfplatform @The_EFC @Greenacre_Assoc @CharitySecurity #FATF #AML #CFT #CivicSpace pic.twitter.com/dQKEBnaAPe— ECNL (@enablingNGOlaw) May 8, 2019
As part of the FATF's Private Sector Consultative Forum, some of the Hub members also met with FATF delegations to discuss the draft Guidance for countries on assessing terrorist financing risk within nonprofit organisations. The Hub spoke about the importance of ongoing engagement with the sector, including through the use of multi-stakeholder working groups to facilitate information exchange.