The Commission is aware that charities will be affected in
different ways by the current volatile situation in Iran and
the wider region. We aim to support charities in delivering their
charitable purposes within the law.
Staff safety overseas
For those with staff operating in the region it is
important to monitor the latest advice from the
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The latest travel
information for British nationals in the Middle East can be found
here: Foreign Office travel
advice updates - GOV.UK
Further advice on protecting staff, volunteers
and those with whom charities work overseas can be
found here: Charities: how to manage
risks when working internationally - GOV.UK
Political activity and risks of supporting extremism or
terrorism
Some charities will be considering responding publicly to recent
events and wider regional context. At times of heightened
international tension, the need for care when planning activity
becomes even more acute, and trustees need to consider the
context of their activities carefully.
The nature of the political framework in Iran also presents
additional considerations in how statements and activities may be
perceived. A number of individuals and groups in Iran
are sanctioned and consequently subject to restrictions, though
not proscribed under UK law. As a civil regulator we will respond
robustly to evidence of links between charities and extremism or
terrorism, and we will make referrals to other agencies
where appropriate including where there is evidence of
criminality.
The Commission's compliance toolkit on protecting charities from
harm includes guidance on protecting your charity from extremist
or terrorist abuse: Protecting charities from
harm: compliance toolkit - GOV.UK
Charity trustees have a responsibility to ensure that their
charity's activities further their charitable purpose and is in
the organisation's best interests. This includes the holding of
events and the posting of material on websites or social media.
In the current context, the Commission urges charities
to be careful to ensure that any political activity they are
involved in furthers their charity's objects and complies with
our guidance. The Commission's guidance on campaigning and
political activity by charities, and social media guidance,
separately set this out in more detail: Campaigning and political
activity guidance for charities - GOV.UK
Charities and social media
- GOV.UK
The Commission will always assess concerns raised with it about a
charity's activities, in line with our published guidance
(Raising a concern with the
Charity Commission (CC47) - GOV.UK).
Safety in UK
The heightened tensions noted above may also present challenges
to charity operations in the UK, particularly where charities
have perceived links to states involved in the current
conflict. Trustees have a responsibility to take reasonable steps
to protect from harm staff, volunteers and members of the public
who come into contact with their charity.
The Home Office offers protective security schemes where faith
community organisations can apply for grants to improve
security: Protective security for
faith communities - GOV.UK
Other information and support
We are aware that many charities will be considering how best to
support those in need in the region. The Commission has
previously drawn together guidance and support for
charities operating in the Middle East, which covers a
range of issues including safeguarding and complying
with financial sanctions: Charities operating in the
Middle East: guidance and support for trustees -
GOV.UK
The
Commission encourages charities facing significant issues
or incidents to report them to the Commission via our
online tool for reporting serious
incidents: Reporting
or Updating a Serious incident
This enables us to assess the steps being
taken by trustees and helps us provide support and
advice where required. Clear information on the nature
of incidents occurring in charities also informs
our own policies and enables us to report
to government and others on trends
facing the sector.
We will continue to monitor the situation, including
assessing incoming intelligence from individual charities and
sector bodies. We will update the guidance
pages above when required.
