Following the letter sent to the Council of Europe where we expressed concerns and reservations over the Report on the regional terrorism financing risk assessment of the not-for-profit (NPO) sector in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, the Council of Europe (CoE) initiated a meeting with BCSDN and all signatories of the letter to further the dialogue on the issues raised and discuss the challenges faced by NPOs in the region related to AML/CFT regulations and practices. After a detailed and fruitful discussion, an agreement was reached for a careful revision of the text, ensuring there is no room for misinterpretation by institutions. This revision, done in collaboration with CSOs, will clarify findings, address labeling concerns, and provide guidance to governments on protecting at-risk CSOs. CoE experts recognized the need to address unintended consequences and ensure report recommendations don’t hinder CSOs’ legitimate activities. Read more here.
Source: BCSDN