Principles under Pressure: The Impact of Counterterrorism Measures and Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism on Principled Humanitarian Action

As states continue to adopt measures aimed at combating terrorist activity, humanitarian organisations remain concerned about the impact these measures have on their ability to deliver aid to populations in areas under the control of designated terrorist groups (DTGs). Counterterrorism measures apply to humanitarian organisations through legislation at various levels, and through relevant clauses in donor agreements. The legal landscape regarding counterterrorism is complex; organisations may be bound to comply with laws in their areas of operation, as well as states where they have registered, donor states, and other states whose laws have extraterritorial reach. Donor agreements are also a complex area, with the wording and scope of agreements varying widely. There is clear tension between the counterterrorism measures set out in legislation and donor requirements, which may restrict engagement with DTGs, and principled humanitarian action, which requires engagement with all parties to a conflict in order to reach those in need.

This report has two objectives. Firstly, it aims to update the evidence base for the impact of counterterrorism measures on principled humanitarian action, last examined comprehensively in a 2013 study commissioned by Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Secondly, it aims to examine what impact, if any, the emerging area of Preventing/ Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) has on principled humanitarian action. Field research was carried out in Nigeria, Somalia and Iraq. Impact is examined at three different levels: structural (affecting the adherence to the humanitarian principles), operational (affecting programmatic decisions) and internal (affecting administrative procedures and interagency coordination).