TERRORIST FINANCE: HUMAN APPEAL INTERNATIONAL

S E C R E T DHAKA 000241 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN EB/ESC/TFS LEANNE CANNON, EB/ESC/TFS KATHERINE LEAHY, S/CT PATTY HILL, SCA/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017 TAGS: EFIN PTER KTFN ETTC PREL ECON SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: HUMAN APPEAL INTERNATIONAL (HAI) POST-VETTING AND CHARITABLE REPLACEMENT SERVICES REF: A. STATE 15260 ¶B. 06 DHAKA 3079 Classified By: Acting DCM Dundas McCullough; Reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (S/NF) Per Ref A request, Post assessed whether the GOB would object to U.S. designation of Human Appeal International (Human Appeal) under E.O. 13224 and/or UNSCR ¶1267. Post does not believe the GOB would object to designation under either authority. ¶2. (S/NF) According to information in Ref A, Human Appeal does not operate in Bangladesh; however, branches in other countries have projects in Bangladesh. Post country team has no direct knowledge of Human Appeal operations in Bangladesh. Based on an Internet search, it appears Human Appeal's branches in the United Kingdom and Australia have projects in Bangladesh. Both support charitable giving to the poor during significant Islamic religious holidays. The website of the United Kingdom branch states it is constructing an orphanage for 250 orphans in the Bhola district. The site also links to a separate website seeking donations to sponsor orphans. The website of the Australian branch promotes donations for digging wells in Bangladesh. These activities are not financially significant in the overall context of charitable work in Bangladesh. ¶3. (S/NF) Post believes designation of Human Appeal would have no impact on legitimate charitable services provided by Human Appeal. As reported Ref B, the GOB under similar circumstances has shown it has the capacity to assess charitable projects impacted by a designation and to coordinate efforts to ensure continued operation of these projects. The steps include location of alternative charitable organizations willing to assume responsibility for the projects and extension of government services to supplement or replace charitable services provided by a designated organization. Given the prior actions of the GOB in a related case and the minimal scope of Human Appeal's projects in Bangladesh, we do not foresee the need for assistance with providing further replacement services to mitigate the impact of a designation of Human Appeal. BUTENIS