FATF Standards Under Scrutiny: India’s Anti-Terror Laws Weaponized by the State
India’s Enforcement Directorate, empowered by FATF-inspired legislation, faces accusations of becoming a political tool for quashing dissent by the ruling party.
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Electoral Bond Scheme: FATF’s Failures to Address Deep Institutional Corruption in India
The report provides a detailed examination of the Electoral Bond Scheme (BDS), its structure, and its impact on political financing in the world’s largest democracy, addressing a key failure of FATF. It draws attention to several critical issues that have emerged since the scheme’s implementation, including concerns about money laundering, corruption, and the erosion of transparency in political funding.
Shadow Report: Civil Society Perspectives for the FATF Mutual Evaluation Review of India
This shadow report, prepared for the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) upcoming Mutual Evaluation Review of India in November 2023, highlights serious concerns about the Indian government’s misuse of FATF standards to stifle civil society and nonprofit organizations (NPOs).
FATF Compliance or Overreach? South Africa’s Intelligence Bill Raises Alarm
South Africa’s proposed General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, ostensibly aimed at addressing financial crime concerns, grants the State Security Agency sweeping powers that could threaten civil liberties and democratic oversight under the guise of national security.
FATF Recommendations Weaponized: South Africa’s Proposed Intelligence Bill Threatens Civil Liberties
While FATF scrutinizes South Africa’s technical compliance with anti-money laundering measures, it fails to address the broader implications of the country’s proposed intelligence legislation, which could undermine civil liberties and the non-profit sector under the guise of security.
FATF-Inspired Law Weaponized Against Scholars and Activists In India, Citizens Warn
Citizens raise alarm over misuse of anti-money laundering law to target activists and scholars in India. The open letter highlights how FATF-inspired legislation is being weaponized against government critics, undermining civil liberties and democratic processes.
FATF-Inspired FCRA Crackdown in India: Severe Consequences for Non-Profit Organizations
As nonprofits in India continue to lose their FCRA licences, the impact is being felt most sharply by their staff, the people they serve, and society at large.
FATF Compliance or Overreach? India’s Enforcement Directorate Under Scrutiny for Excessive Powers
The ED has cast its dragnet wide. It is using the interpretation of a circular issued by the agency itself in 2020 for this purpose. The circular was intended to define its role. But it has a clause giving its director enormous discretionary powers.
FATF Standards Weaponized? India’s Civil Society Under Siege
Prime Minister Modi’s aggressive measures against NGOs, justified under FATF compliance, have led to a severe funding crunch and operational challenges for civil society in India.
FATF-inspired Laws Lead to 87% Drop in Foreign Funds When India Needs Funds Most
Foreign funds donated to Indian NGOs fell 87% over two years, from Rs 16,490 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 2,190 crore in 2019-20, as the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi tightened an already opaque law, which has disallowed foreign donations to more than 16,000 such organisations. As the income of the poorest 20% of Indian households halved since 2016—the first such decline in 31 years—we report how the government is criminalising thousands of NGOs and hindering assistance to its poorest during a pandemic.