Second Exchange Hub announced: Navigating principled humanitarian action and compliance with counter-terrorism laws and policies

The PHAP membership has selected the topic for the association’s second Exchange Hub: “Navigating principled humanitarian action and compliance with counter-terrorism laws and policies.” Over the coming six weeks, this topic will be discussed on the Hub’s information portal and during the online member event on 26 February.

Over the last decade, state and inter-governmental counter-terrorism laws and policies have become increasingly robust, resulting in additional pressure on many humanitarian organizations operational on the frontline – often posing additional challenges for acting in accordance with the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, humanity, and independence. With increasing tension between principled humanitarian action and counter-terrorism laws and policies, what do humanitarian organizations need to consider moving forward?

The PHAP is in the process of collecting specific concerns faced by humanitarian practitioners in their work and questions related to this topic. A lot of excellent academic and policy work has been done in this area in recent years, and much is still underway - and we are fortunate that several of the leading experts on the topic of humanitarian action in the context of counterterrorism laws and policies are active members of PHAP's network and will engage in the upcoming discussions.

All members and the wider humanitarian community are welcome to follow the discussions for this second Hub at https://phap.org/exchange-hub/2. Members are also encouraged to join the online member event on 26 February, which will focus on addressing questions and concerns submitted by members.

To read more about becoming a PHAP member, please visit phap.org/become-member