With President Trump’s decision to freeze U.S. foreign aid for at least 90 days, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is calling on the European Union to step up as the world’s top provider of development assistance.
Leading a coalition of over 60 organizations, the ICJ warns that the funding cut will have dire consequences—closing clinics, disrupting disease treatment programs, and stalling human rights initiatives.
Beyond practical concerns, the commission fears ideological fallout, arguing that the funding freeze disproportionately affects groups offering abortion services and reproductive healthcare. They insist the EU must take the reins, reinforcing its role as a global champion of democracy, human rights, and humanitarian aid. Any hesitation, they claim, would embolden authoritarian regimes seeking to expand their influence.
The ICJ has outlined key recommendations for Brussels, emphasizing the need to replace lost funds and channel resources toward reproductive rights, gender equality, and LGBTIQ initiatives. Their statement also frames U.S. cuts as a direct threat to media independence, transparency, and access to information—suggesting that American interference is only welcome when it aligns with a particular ideology.
Among the ICJ’s notable backers? None other than George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, a longtime patron of progressive causes.
