IEPFPD Executive Committee Statement on

 

US Administration Block on UNFPA Funding

 

 

Warsaw, 16 July  2002

 

Taking note of the US Congressional fact-finding mission to the People’s Republic of China of May 2002 to investigate the involvement of UNFPA in China’s population policy;

 

Taking note that President Bush has decided to freeze the US contribution to the UNFPA for 2002, despite US Congressional approval;

 

Taking note that President Bush has blocked the public release of the Report of the US Congressional fact-finding mission to China;

 

Taking note of the UK Parliamentary mission to China in April 2002 and the unanimously positive assessment of the UK delegates regarding UNFPA’s work in China;

 

The IEPFPD

 

Regrets the Bush administration’s decision to block the release of the Report from US Congressional fact-finding mission to China regarding UNFPA Programmes.

 

Believes that the decision to block the release of the fact-finding mission report is contrary to democratic principles, particularly transparency, open government and accountability.

 

Calls upon European parliamentarians, parliamentary groups on population, development and sexual and reproductive health, the European Union Presidency and European donor agencies to

 

-         evaluate the impact of the US withdrawal of funding from UNFPA from the perspective of European states achieving the Millennium Development Goals

 

-         monitor the increasing US opposition to internationally agreed reproductive health and population activities

 

-         devise appropriate European responses to ensure that the lives of millions around the world who benefit from UNFPA programmes may not suffer as a result of the Bush administration’s decision.

 

Extends its support to US Members of Congress working to ensure the public release of the fact-finding mission to China and the release of the US contribution to UNFPA

 

 

 

The IEPFPD is composed of parliamentary groups made up of dedicated parliamentarians from all democratic parties in parliaments around Europe striving to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in accordance with Millennium Development Goals.

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