EarthRights International的动态

#Nonprofit Sector: If you choose to do one thing to educate yourself today, make it a priority to stay updated on federal policies that could affect your work. What am I talking about? Section 4 of H.R. 9495. This legislation seeks to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations found to support terrorism. At first glance, this may seem straightforward, but the broad and vague language, combined with overlaps from previous laws like H.R. 6408, presents significant challenges, particularly for social justice and advocacy organizations. The expanded authority granted to the executive branch could lead to misuse, and the process itself is complex, potentially resulting in the unfair targeting of organizations working on sensitive political or international issues. It’s important for nonprofits to stay informed and proactive in navigating these changes. This legislation could create administrative challenges and a chilling effect on free speech and activism. Staying educated and engaged helps ensure that policies don’t undermine the work of organizations striving for justice and human rights. For more information, the Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum have published a joint statement in response to H.R. 9495, which you can read here: https://lnkd.in/e8M6aKfd.

Happy to see the Council on Foundations opposing harmful legislation that could put the nonprofit sector at risk of being torn apart. ?? This is a common part of the authoritarian playbook that seeks to disrupt freedom of speech and freedom of assembly via dismantling organizations that resource civil society, not to mention closing civic space. The use of language around terrorism should be alarming to everyone. While legitimate terrorist activity should be addressed, giving power to the Executive Branch to label an organization as terrorist supporting without legitimate cause is anti-democratic. "This legislation would allow the Secretary of the Treasury to designate section 501(c) nonprofits as “terrorist supporting organizations” at the Secretary’s discretion, without requiring the Secretary to share their full evidence or reasoning with accused nonprofits. Furthermore, the legislation runs counter to constitutional due process protections by placing the burden of proof on the accused organization and providing only 90 days for organizations to demonstrate their innocence before revoking their tax-exempt status." Having conducted research on the human rights implications of this, I know what it looks like for human rights defenders to advocate without the support and protection of nonprofit organizations. It puts them at increased risk of being targeted, exiled, and in some cases, killed. Call your representatives today to oppose this bill!

??ACTION ALERT?? Urge your Members of Congress to vote NO on H.R. 9495! Please help stop the House of Representatives from their latest attempt to sneak in a power grab for the incoming Trump Administration. H.R. 9495 would give unprecedented authority to the Executive Branch to strip nonprofits of their tax exempt status, without transparency or due process. It is ALREADY illegal to provide material support to foreign terrorism – but under this bill, the Administration could label ANY nonprofit as a "terrorist supporting organization" – without sharing their evidence, and providing only 90 days for the accused to clear their name. Most at risk: Law-abiding organizations providing humanitarian assistance in conflict zones. ??MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD?? 1) Read the attached joint statement from the Council on Foundations, the Independent Sector, the National Council of Nonprofits, and the United Philanthropy Forum to learn more. 2) Call your representative today and ask them to vote NO on H.R. 9495!

The nonprofit sector thrives on trust, transparency, and serving the public good. That's why I’m deeply concerned about the implications of Section 4 in H.R.9495, which could grant the executive branch broad powers to designate 501(c) organizations as “terrorist supporting” without full transparency or due process. While I fully support efforts to combat terrorism and prevent misuse of nonprofit structures, this legislation risks harming legitimate, law-abiding organizations. Nonprofits should remain accountable under existing laws, and there is always room for constructive improvements to investigative processes. But these improvements should not come at the cost of fairness, transparency, or due process. I stand with the Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum in urging careful reconsideration of this legislation to protect both our sector and those we serve. If you agree - Independent Sector has a very easy way for you to be heard here: https://lnkd.in/eAsePQ3U. I understand this may be a complex issue, and I welcome respectful dialogue on all sides.

All of us working in the nonprofit sector are urged to contact our member of Congress to oppose H.R. 9495, a bill that would give the Secretary of the Treasury unilateral power to strip nonprofit status from any 501(c) organization deemed a "terrorist supporting organization" at the Secretary's discretion. The House is set to vote on this bill Thursday, and it has received favorable votes in the past from both Democrats and Republicans. Urgent and united action is needed! H.R. 9495 poses significant risks to nonprofits by removing constitutional due process protections. Under this bill, the Secretary of the Treasury would gain extraordinary powers, placing the burden of proof on nonprofits to prove their innocence—a nearly impossible task. Even an unproven accusation could cause irreparable harm to a nonprofit's reputation and viability. Organizations providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones and those exercising their constitutionally protected rights to free speech on international conflicts could be affected. It is already illegal to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations. Giving the Secretary of the Treasury unilateral power to revoke tax-exempt status without due process is unnecessary and dangerous. Take action to oppose H.R. 9495.

The Council is tracking a potentially harmful bill in Congress, H.R.9495. We expect H.R.9495 to get renewed attention in the House of Representatives this week. The bill as drafted includes language that creates redundancies and confusion while providing the executive branch with expansive new authority that could be abused. We, along with our partners at Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum, have issued a statement expressing our opposition to Section 4 of H.R.9495 and its predecessor, H.R.6408. ??Here’s what you can do: ?? Learn more about our stance and what this means for the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors in our full statement here: https://hubs.ly/Q02YC3Hl0 ?? Contact your legislators and urge them to oppose H.R.6408/H.R.9495 unless amended to address these concerns: https://hubs.ly/Q02YBPhq0

I join with the Council of Foundations, Independent Sector, and other nonprofit professionals in opposing pending federal legislation (HR9495) that would give the Secretary of the Treasury largely unchecked powers to strip nonprofits of their tax-exempt status if they are suspected of being "terrorist supporting." Obviously, organizations that actively support terrorism should be restricted in their operations, but the proposed approach is draconian. Due process matters. In the proposed bill, the Secretary can determine what "terrorist supporting" means and the burden of proof falls to the nonprofit, a burden that could destroy falsely accused organizations and halt good work that they do in our communities. Putting this into law would create government overreach with far too little due process. https://lnkd.in/gTs6fnzG This statement represents my personal views and opinions and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of my employer or any other organization with which I am affiliated.

#Spotlight! Canada’s government, businesses, nonprofits, and communities are actively building relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Honest dialogue across the country is promoting reconciliation and driving positive change. Together, we're shaping a more inclusive future. #Reconciliation #IndigenousRights #indigenoushistorymonth Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gE59nW76

Call Your Representatives!! Oppose H.R. 9495!!! Joint statement from Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum: The above mentioned express opposition to Section 4 of?H.R.9495?and its predecessor, H.R.6408. This legislation as drafted creates redundancies and confusion while providing the executive branch with expansive new abusive authority. This legislation would allow nonprofits to be declared as “terrorist supporting organizations” at the Secretary’s discretion, without requiring the Secretary to share full evidence or reasoning with the accused. Furthermore, the legislation runs counter to constitutional due process protections by placing the burden of proof on the accused organization and providing only 90 days for organizations to demonstrate their innocence before revoking their tax-exempt status. We already have laws against funding terrorism, this addition is a dangerous move to silence and delete nonprofits with opposing views of the Administration. Have you every disagreed with your government and voiced your opinion on the capital steps? I have. Does that make me a terrorist, HECK NO!

Georgia ???? is a BUY! GDP Growth is at 12% pa. Some talk, some write, some complain but others create. The very fact we are talking online attests to that. Businesses built and operate the mobile internet networks in Georgia. What matters in our economy are the businesses and workers. The diplomats and NGOs talk and write, they spend money, they are a cost. But they produce only words, reports, recommendations and complaints. They create nothing at all, except conflict in our community. Businesses build. The diplomatic and 3rd Sector complain. This is the bottom line. Blessed are the Grant Eaters, for they shall be fed. Open Society Foundations fund 100 non-transparent NGOs in Georgia.