The United States government’s questionnaire to international organisations and NGOs reeks of McCarthy era intimidation, but on a much broader global scale, writes Daniel Warner
‘Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?’ was the key question at the US House Un-American Activities Committee hearings during the 1950s McCarthy era. At the height of the anti-Soviet/Communist fear, HUAC cost thousands of people their jobs and created a powerful chill to freedom of speech and association. A similar chill with global consequences has now come to 2000 UN agencies and non-governmental organisations that receive US funding. An Office of Management and Budget questionnaire asks them to describe with whom and how they do business. It has created stupor and confusion here in