The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), together with over 60 civil society organizations, has joined an urgent appeal calling on EU leaders to take immediate action to address the global development aid crisis triggered by recent decisions by the U.S. administration.
On 20 January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order imposing a 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid. This decision has already led to immediate and devastating consequences, including the closure of clinics, the suspension of life-saving disease treatment programmes, the disruption of human rights and rule of law initiatives, and a funding crisis for NGOs worldwide.
The reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule —a U.S. policy barring foreign organizations receiving U.S. global health funding from providing, counselling on, or advocating for abortion services— further threatens access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
The appeal urges the EU, as the world’s largest foreign aid provider, to step up its leadership and ensure continued support for democracy, human rights, global health, and humanitarian assistance. Among the key recommendations, signatories call on the EU to:
- Provide emergency funding to mitigate the financial shortfalls created by the U.S. aid freeze and Global Gag Rule;
- Prioritize funding for sectors most affected, including reproductive rights, gender equality, and LGBTIQ rights;
- Reduce administrative barriers to ensure accessibility of funding for civil society organizations;
- Take diplomatic action to urge the U.S. administration to reverse course.
The full statement is available here.
Contact
Karolína Babická, ICJ Europe and Central Asi Programme Senior Legal Adviser, karolina.babicka@icj.org