Press Release
For Immediate Release
Date: February 26, 2025
U.S. Foreign Aid and Funding Freeze Threatens Freedoms and Human Rights Worldwide
Washington, D.C. — In response to recent executive actions freezing federal grants and contracts, including foreign assistance, 35 United Nations experts, including special rapporteurs, working groups and independent experts raised alarms over the potential long-term impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society globally, in a letter sent to the US Government.
The 90-day freeze, which was enacted under the Trump administration’s Executive Orders aimed at reevaluating U.S. foreign aid and ending government diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, is raising concerns about its adherence to international human rights standards. Specifically, critics are highlighting the negative consequences for the ability of both U.S.-based and international associations to access and use resources vital for advancing human rights, democracy, healthcare, and other critical services.
The freeze is affecting a wide range of civil, political, social, and economic rights. These include the right to life, health, a healthy environment, and freedoms of association, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, belief and religion. Vulnerable groups—such as women, marginalized communities, and at-risk populations—are expected to be disproportionately impacted. In particular, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations, universities, media outlets, and medical research institutions, and a wide spectrum of for-profit and non-for-profit associations, are struggling to maintain operations due to the abrupt suspension of funding.
The executive orders fail to provide clear guidelines or transparent procedures, leaving many organizations uncertain about their future and causing disruption to programs vital for public health, education, humanitarian aid, and democracy promotion. The impact is being felt both in the United States and internationally, with thousands of associations, including civil society organizations, across the globe facing severe financial hardship.
Human Rights Implications of Funding Freeze
International human rights law dictates that states must take necessary measures to create an enabling environment for associations to operate, including ensuring that organizations can access and manage resources freely. The current freeze on U.S. funding contradicts these principles and risks violating international standards on freedom of association.
The right to access and manage resources is a core component of freedom of association, as enshrined in international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, article 22), the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (article 6), the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (article 13), and he Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (article 32). These protections allow organizations to seek, receive, and use resources to carry out their activities without undue interference. Yet, the freeze imposes restrictions that undermine this right, potentially leading to the dissolution of many organizations.
The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have consistently stressed the importance of ensuring that associations can access resources for their work, without discrimination or arbitrary interference. The sudden halt in funding jeopardizes this ability, particularly as many groups rely on U.S. assistance for critical activities such as healthcare, education, environmental protection, and human rights advocacy.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and OSCE guidelines both stress that funding decisions must be based on clear, transparent, and non-discriminatory criteria. They also emphasize that organizations should be able to contest decisions and have access to an independent review process.
Impact on Civil Society and Vulnerable Populations
The consequences of these actions extend far beyond the organizations themselves. Millions of individuals in vulnerable situations—such as women, children, and marginalized communities—stand to lose essential services, including healthcare, education, and access to food, housing, and employment opportunities. These impacts are especially critical for those who rely on U.S. foreign aid to meet their basic needs.
In addition, the freeze could disrupt peacebuilding efforts, counter-terrorism initiatives, fight against corruption and human rights programs. These programs are essential for advancing democracy, the rule of law, and global stability. As the U.S. restricts funding has been sudden and radical, other nations and organizations may struggle to fill the gap, leaving millions without the support they need.
Stigmatization of NGOs and Risk to Human Rights
A concerning aspect of these actions is the potential for stigmatization of NGOs, both in the U.S. and internationally. By targeting organizations that receive U.S. funding, the government is signaling that these entities may not align with national interests, thereby marginalizing their work. This could further erode public trust in civil society organizations and human rights defenders, making it more difficult for them to operate freely.
The U.N. Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association has warned that hostile narratives and stigmatization can have a chilling effect on civil society, leading to harassment, intimidation, and even violence against activists. The rhetoric used by government officials, including labeling NGOs as “enemies of the state,” risks escalating this hostility and may endanger the safety of individuals working for these organizations.
Urgency for Transparency and Clarity
The lack of clear guidelines for the freeze on foreign aid and domestic funding has caused significant uncertainty. Organizations are left without essential information about how to navigate the suspension, including when or if they will receive their funding again, or how to challenge a denial of resources. Without transparency, the potential for abuse and arbitrary decision-making increases, which could have devastating consequences for organizations that are already struggling to survive.
Looking Ahead
The U.S. government must urgently comply with the recent court orders, pay invoices, reconsider the impact of its freeze on foreign aid and federal grants and to compensate for the damage done. With the right to seek, receive, and use resources fundamental to human rights, the freeze threatens the very fabric of civil society, both domestically and abroad. As organizations face financial uncertainty, governments and stakeholders must advocate for the restoration of critical funding streams to ensure that human rights protections, healthcare, education, and democracy promotion efforts can continue uninterrupted.
For further information, please contact:
Gina Romero. UN Special Rapporteur for the Rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
grsrfoaa@gmail.com – 573152228450
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