60. No GAG Rule in Foreign Aid for Healthcare

WHEREAS the Global Gag Rule (officially known as the Mexico City Policy) restricts U.S. aid by terminating U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funds for any non-U.S.-based NGOs involved in voluntary abortion activities, even if these activities were undertaken with non-U.S. funds and the Helms Amendment has restricted U.S. funds from being used for abortion or voluntary sterilization activities overseas since 1973,

WHEREAS Under the Global Gag Rule, it is illegal for an organization that receives donations from USAID to lobby its own government for decriminalization of abortion, though it would be able to lobby for stricter punishment for women who have undergone voluntary abortions and the intention of the policy is to limit the speech and action of foreign-based NGO recipients by depriving them of all U.S. government funds if they carry out certain acts deemed undesirable by the U.S. administration.

WHEREAS In essence, if an organization is dependent on U.S. aid, or if it is concerned about potential funding, it is prevented from participating in the democratic process of its own country unless it agrees with the current U.S. government on abortion issues.

WHEREAS Blanket prohibitions of abortion and violations of doctor-patient confidentiality have been deemed inconsistent with internationally recognized human rights norms by the UN’s Human Rights Committee and Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Committee).

WHEREAS the Global Gag Rule also imposes rules and restrictions on foreign NGOs that would not be accepted as legal in the United States.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party and its Congressional Lawmakers shall work for the repeal of the Global Gag Rule and the Helms Amendment as conditions of Foreign Aid receipt.