The U.S. Department of the Treasury has
issued revised Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines, Voluntary
Best Practices for U.S.-based Charities (Guidelines) to
help the charitable sector protect itself from abuse by
terrorist organizations. Treasury is releasing for public
comment this revised version of the Guidelines to ensure
the greatest benefit to the sector, as well as effective
application.
"Charitable giving is an act ingrained
in the culture of America, and the people of this country
give selflessly to vast vital causes. Sadly, terrorist networks
and their sympathizers have preyed upon this goodwill to
raise and move money in support of their deadly agendas,"
said Patrick O'Brien, the Treasury's Assistant Secretary
for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crime.
In November 2002, the Treasury issued the
original Guidelines, and since then, the Treasury has worked
hand-in-hand with the U.S. charitable and donor community,
notably the Arab-American and Islamic-American community,
to raise awareness of terrorist abuse and the steps charities
can take to protect themselves. Strengthening and revising
the Guidelines is an important part of this effort and will
further benefit the sector.
While the Guidelines are voluntary and do
not supersede or modify legal requirements, they promote
the development of a risk-based, transparent approach to
guard against the threat of diversion of charitable funds
for use by terrorists and their supporters.
"Indeed, in the wake of natural disasters
like the earthquake in Pakistan, the tsunami in southeast
Asia, and the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast of the United
States, we must ensure that charitable donations go to the
legitimate causes they were intended for," said O'Brien.
The Guidelines issued today immediately
replace the original Guidelines, although the Treasury will
consider all comments received on or before February 1,
2006 in finalizing the revised version. Please submit comments
through one of the following methods:
Mail:
Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crime
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Facsimile:
(202) 622-9747
Electronic Submission:
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/key-issues/protecting/charities-intro.shtml
A copy of the draft Guidelines may be accessed
through this link:
http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/key-issues/protecting/docs/guidelines_charities.pdf
###
