Development v. Terrorism — migrant remittances or terrorist financing?

This paper discusses recent developments in the campaign to combat terrorist financing in Europe and the intersection of these with the flow of migrant remittances from the Members States of the European Union to Third Countries. New regimes of control within the European Union (EU) towards migration affect more than just those seeking entry to Europe. Migrants frequently leave behind families that they expect to support from their earnings once they secure employment at their final destination.

Measures to combat the financing of terrorism (CFT) and the related increase in anti-money laundering regulation make it increasingly difficult for those that are successful in reaching Europe (legally & illegally) and achieving paid employment to subsequently share from their wages with the family left behind. This issue is considered in the context of a proposed Directive on ‘information on the payer accompanying transfers of funds’ (COM(2005) 343 final).

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