Latest news with #OMB
News24
a day ago
- Politics
- News24
White House signals shift in priorities: Deep cuts in US funding for war crimes investigations
The White House intends shutting down funding for programmes that do war crimes and accountability work globally. The US State Department can appeal the decision. The deadline for responses is 11 July. The White House has recommended terminating US funding for nearly two dozen programmes that conduct war crimes and accountability work globally, including in Myanmar, Syria and on alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine, according to three US sources familiar with the matter and internal government documents reviewed by Reuters. The recommendation from the Office of Management and Budget, which was made on Wednesday and has not been previously reported, is not the final decision to end the programmes since it gives the State Department the option to appeal. But it sets up a potential back-and-forth between the OMB and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides, who will reply to OMB with their suggestions on which programmes deserve to continue. The programmes also include work in Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Belarus, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and the Gambia, according to the sources and a list seen by Reuters. The State Department declined to comment. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The expectation that Rubio would argue for many of the programmes to be continued is slim, according to three US officials. However, the top US diplomat could make a case to keep crucial programmes, such as aiding potential war crimes prosecutions in Ukraine, according to one source familiar with the matter. Several of the programmes earmarked for termination operate war crimes accountability projects in Ukraine, three sources familiar with the matter said, including Global Rights Compliance, which is helping to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity across Ukraine, such as sexual violence and torture. Another is Legal Action Worldwide, a legal aid group which supports local efforts to bring cases against Russian suspects of war crimes in Ukraine, the sources said. Requests seeking comment from the groups were not immediately answered. State Department bureaus that would like to preserve any war crimes and accountability programmes should send their justifications by close of business day on 11 July, said an internal State Department email seen by Reuters. READ | 'Essential hedge against authoritarianism': Judge blocks Trump plan to target Harvard students Many of the programmes recommended for termination are dedicated to empowering local organisations seeking to advance justice in societies that have faced atrocities, one of the sources said, adding that some programmes have been going on for decades across Democratic and Republican administrations. 'Even if Secretary Rubio intervenes to save these programmes, many of which he supported as a senator, there will be no one left to manage these programmes,' the source said. The administration of US President Donald Trump has frozen and then cut back billions of dollars of foreign aid since taking office on 20 January to ensure American-taxpayer money funds programmes that are aligned with his 'America First' policies. The unprecedented cutbacks have effectively shut down its premier aid arm US Agency for International Development, jeopardised the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and thrown global humanitarian relief operations into chaos. The OMB recommendation is yet another sign that the administration is increasingly de-prioritising advocacy for human rights and rule of law globally, an objective that previous US administrations have pursued. While US foreign aid freezes had already started hampering an international effort to hold Russia responsible for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Wednesday's recommendations raise the risk of US completely abandoning those efforts. Among the programmes that are recommended for termination is a $18 million State Department grant for Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office that is implemented by Georgetown University's International Criminal Justice Initiative, two sources said. An official at Georgetown declined to comment. While the programmes do not directly impact Ukraine's frontline efforts to fend off Russia's invasion, supporters say they represent the best chance of extensively documenting reported battlefield atrocities in Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two, now grinding toward a fourth year. Ukraine has opened more than 140 000 war crime cases since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, which has killed tens of thousands, ravaged vast swathes of the country and left behind mental and physical scars from occupation. Russia consistently denies war crimes have been committed by its forces in the conflict. Other programmes include one that does accountability work on Myanmar army's atrocities against Rohingya minorities as well as on the persecution of Christians and other minorities by Syria's ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, two sources said. While the OMB recommendations could face State Department push-back, the criteria to appeal are set very strictly. In an internal State Department email, the administration cautioned that any effort to preserve programmes that were recommended to be terminated should be thoroughly argued and directly aligned with Washington's priorities. 'Bureaus must clearly and succinctly identify direct alignment to administration priorities,' the email, reviewed by Reuters said.
Roya News
a day ago
- Politics
- Roya News
US considers cutting nearly all international pro-democracy aid programs
Nearly all US-funded pro-democracy programs operating under the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) are at risk of termination, according to internal briefings on a sweeping foreign assistance review led by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The review, sources say, recommends slashing nearly USD 1.3 billion in grants, leaving just two programs untouched: one in China and one in Yemen, The Guardian reported. 'This would terminate about 80 percent of all US government foreign assistance at the State Department,' said a department official briefed on the matter. The recommendations signal a dramatic shift in US foreign policy priorities under the Trump administration. Critics warn that cutting these programs would leave pro-democracy activists in authoritarian countries vulnerable, with many of these initiatives focused on digital freedom, election support, transnational repression, and emergency protection for at-risk civil society figures. Most DRL-backed programs are kept confidential due to the sensitive nature of their work in hostile regimes like Venezuela, Cuba, and China. However, the sudden recommendation to terminate hundreds of grants stunned many inside the State Department. Officials said leadership in both DRL and the Office of Foreign Assistance were 'in shock.' Adding to the controversy, a newly appointed senior adviser to DRL, Samuel Samson, a recent college graduate and rising conservative figure, has reportedly proposed repurposing Congressionally allocated funds to support administration-linked priorities, including resettling Afrikaners to the US and backing the legal defense of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Samson also led a US delegation in May that met with senior officials from Le Pen's National Rally party. Though Le Pen did not meet with him personally, the group rejected a US offer of public support, according to Reuters. Samson's recent writings have drawn criticism as well, particularly a State Department Substack post in which he questioned the designation of Germany's far-right AfD as an extremist party, claiming it undermines democratic elections in Europe. It remains unclear whether his recommendations were included in DRL's official budget planning. The review's release follows OMB Director Russell Vought's Senate testimony, during which he claimed the State Department's foreign assistance programs remained fully operational. Just days later, the results landed at DRL, coinciding with the department's plan to lay off up to 3,400 staff and shutter around 300 offices as part of a massive restructuring championed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Under this reorganization, DRL is expected to be gutted, its aid programs stripped, and its staff laid off. Sources noted this would make it nearly impossible to challenge the funding cuts or defend terminated grants, as employees would lose access to the very resources and email systems required to do so. 'If you cut all the programs in DRL, then, why would you need to keep the staff if they're not doing any work,' said one source familiar with the plan. The proposed dismantling of DRL has sparked outrage from Democratic lawmakers. Ten senators recently wrote a letter to Rubio urging him to reconsider. 'The proposed reorganization would result in a structural and substantive demotion of human rights promotion,' they wrote, arguing it runs counter to Rubio's past as a vocal advocate for oppressed peoples. Citing Rubio's own prior testimony, they added, 'Millions of people around the world who live in societies dominated by fear and oppression look to the United States of America to champion their cause… There are no greater champions more capable of advancing this noble cause than the dedicated staff in DRL.' Despite mounting concerns, the State Department's official line remains cautious. When asked for comment, a senior official said, 'The provision of any foreign assistance, including for democracy programming, will be guided by whether it makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.' Still, many inside and outside the department worry that once these programs are gone, and the personnel with them, America's global human rights leadership will be diminished for years to come.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
White House Wants Deep Cut in US Funding for War Crimes Investigations
The White House has recommended terminating US funding for nearly two dozen programs that conduct war crimes and accountability work globally, including in Myanmar, Syria and on alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine, according to three US sources familiar with the matter and internal government documents reviewed by Reuters. The recommendation from the Office of Management and Budget, which was made on Wednesday and has not been previously reported, is not the final decision to end the programs since it gives the State Department the option to appeal. But it sets up a potential back-and-forth between the OMB and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides, who will reply to OMB with their suggestions on which programs deserve to continue. The programs also include work in Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Belarus, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and the Gambia, according to the sources and a list seen by Reuters. The State Department declined to comment. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The expectation that Rubio would argue for many of the programs to be continued is slim, according to three US officials. However, the top US diplomat could make a case to keep crucial programs, such as aiding potential war crimes prosecutions in Ukraine, according to one source familiar with the matter. Several of the programs earmarked for termination operate war crimes accountability projects in Ukraine, three sources familiar with the matter said, including Global Rights Compliance, which is helping to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity across Ukraine, such as sexual violence and torture. Another is Legal Action Worldwide, a legal aid group which supports local efforts to bring cases against Russian suspects of war crimes in Ukraine, the sources said. Requests seeking comment from the groups were not immediately answered. State Department bureaus that would like to preserve any war crimes and accountability programs should send their justifications by close of business day on July 11, said an internal State Department email seen by Reuters. CHANGING PRIORITIES Many of the programs recommended for termination are dedicated to empowering local organizations seeking to advance justice in societies that have faced atrocities, one of the sources said, adding that some programs have been going on for decades across Democratic and Republican administrations. "Even if Secretary Rubio intervenes to save these programs, many of which he supported as a senator, there will be no one left to manage these programs," the source said. The administration of President Donald Trump has frozen and then cut back billions of dollars of foreign aid since taking office on January 20 to ensure American-taxpayer money funds programs that are aligned with his "America First" policies. The unprecedented cutbacks have effectively shut down its premier aid arm US Agency for International Development, jeopardized the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and thrown global humanitarian relief operations into chaos. The OMB recommendation is yet another sign that the administration is increasingly de-prioritizing advocacy for human rights and rule of law globally, an objective that previous US administrations have pursued. While US foreign aid freezes had already started hampering an international effort to hold Russia responsible for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Wednesday's recommendations raise the risk of US completely abandoning those efforts. Among the programs that are recommended for termination is a $18 million State Department grant for Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office that is implemented by Georgetown University's International Criminal Justice Initiative, two sources said. An official at Georgetown declined to comment. While the programs do not directly impact Ukraine's frontline efforts to fend off Russia's invasion, supporters say they represent the best chance of extensively documenting reported battlefield atrocities in Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two, now grinding toward a fourth year. Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crime cases since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, which has killed tens of thousands, ravaged vast swathes of the country and left behind mental and physical scars from occupation. Russia consistently denies war crimes have been committed by its forces in the conflict. PATH TO APPEAL Other programs include one that does accountability work on Myanmar army's atrocities against Rohingya minorities as well as on the persecution of Christians and other minorities by Syria's ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, two sources said. While the OMB recommendations could face State Department push-back, the criteria to appeal are set very strictly. In an internal State Department email, the administration cautioned that any effort to preserve programs that were recommended to be terminated should be thoroughly argued and directly aligned with Washington's priorities. "Bureaus must clearly and succinctly identify direct alignment to administration priorities," the email, reviewed by Reuters said.
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
White House wants deep cut in US funding for war crimes investigations, sources say
By Humeyra Pamuk and Anthony Deutsch The recommendation from the Office of Management and Budget, which was made on Wednesday and has not been previously reported, is not the final decision to end the programs since it gives the State Department the option to appeal. But it sets up a potential back-and-forth between the OMB and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides, who will reply to OMB with their suggestions on which programs deserve to continue. The programs also include work in Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Belarus, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and the Gambia, according to the sources and a list seen by Reuters. The State Department declined to comment. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The expectation that Rubio would argue for many of the programs to be continued is slim, according to three U.S. officials. However, the top U.S. diplomat could make a case to keep crucial programs, such as aiding potential war crimes prosecutions in Ukraine, according to one source familiar with the matter. Several of the programs earmarked for termination operate war crimes accountability projects in Ukraine, three sources familiar with the matter said, including Global Rights Compliance, which is helping to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity across Ukraine, such as sexual violence and torture. Another is Legal Action Worldwide, a legal aid group which supports local efforts to bring cases against Russian suspects of war crimes in Ukraine, the sources said. Requests seeking comment from the groups were not immediately answered. State Department bureaus that would like to preserve any war crimes and accountability programs should send their justifications by close of business day on July 11, said an internal State Department email seen by Reuters. CHANGING PRIORITIES Many of the programs recommended for termination are dedicated to empowering local organizations seeking to advance justice in societies that have faced atrocities, one of the sources said, adding that some programs have been going on for decades across Democratic and Republican administrations. 'Even if Secretary Rubio intervenes to save these programs, many of which he supported as a senator, there will be no one left to manage these programs,' the source said. The administration of President Donald Trump has frozen and then cut back billions of dollars of foreign aid since taking office on January 20 to ensure American-taxpayer money funds programs that are aligned with his 'America First' policies. The unprecedented cutbacks have effectively shut down its premier aid arm U.S. Agency for International Development, jeopardized the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and thrown global humanitarian relief operations into chaos. The OMB recommendation is yet another sign that the administration is increasingly de-prioritizing advocacy for human rights and rule of law globally, an objective that previous U.S. administrations have pursued. While U.S. foreign aid freezes had already started hampering an international effort to hold Russia responsible for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Wednesday's recommendations raise the risk of U.S. completely abandoning those efforts. Among the programs that are recommended for termination is a $18 million State Department grant for Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office that is implemented by Georgetown University's International Criminal Justice Initiative, two sources said. An official at Georgetown declined to comment. While the programs do not directly impact Ukraine's frontline efforts to fend off Russia's invasion, supporters say they represent the best chance of extensively documenting reported battlefield atrocities in Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two, now grinding toward a fourth year. Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crime cases since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, which has killed tens of thousands, ravaged vast swathes of the country and left behind mental and physical scars from occupation. Russia consistently denies war crimes have been committed by its forces in the conflict. PATH TO APPEAL Other programs include one that does accountability work on Myanmar army's atrocities against Rohingya minorities as well as on the persecution of Christians and other minorities by Syria's ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, two sources said. While the OMB recommendations could face State Department push-back, the criteria to appeal are set very strictly. In an internal State Department email, the administration cautioned that any effort to preserve programs that were recommended to be terminated should be thoroughly argued and directly aligned with Washington's priorities. 'Bureaus must clearly and succinctly identify direct alignment to administration priorities,' the email, reviewed by Reuters said.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
White House wants deep cut in US funding for war crimes investigations, sources say, World News
WASHINGTON/THE HAGUE - The White House has recommended terminating US funding for nearly two dozen programmes that conduct war crimes and accountability work globally, including in Myanmar, Syria and on alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine, according to three US sources familiar with the matter and internal government documents reviewed by Reuters. The recommendation from the Office of Management and Budget, which was made on Wednesday (June 25) and has not been previously reported, is not the final decision to end the programmes since it gives the State Department the option to appeal. But it sets up a potential back-and-forth between the OMB and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides, who will reply to OMB with their suggestions on which programmes deserve to continue. The programmes also include work in Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Belarus, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and the Gambia, according to the sources and a list seen by Reuters. The State Department declined to comment. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The expectation that Rubio would argue for many of the programmes to be continued is slim, according to three US officials. However, the top US diplomat could make a case to keep crucial programmes, such as aiding potential war crimes prosecutions in Ukraine, according to one source familiar with the matter. Several of the programmes earmarked for termination operate war crimes accountability projects in Ukraine, three sources familiar with the matter said, including Global Rights Compliance, which is helping to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity across Ukraine, such as sexual violence and torture. Another is Legal Action Worldwide, a legal aid group which supports local efforts to bring cases against Russian suspects of war crimes in Ukraine, the sources said. Requests seeking comment from the groups were not immediately answered. State Department bureaus that would like to preserve any war crimes and accountability programmes should send their justifications by close of business day on July 11, said an internal State Department email seen by Reuters. Changing priorities Many of the programmes recommended for termination are dedicated to empowering local organisations seeking to advance justice in societies that have faced atrocities, one of the sources said, adding that some programmes have been going on for decades across Democratic and Republican administrations. "Even if Secretary Rubio intervenes to save these programmes, many of which he supported as a senator, there will be no one left to manage these programmes," the source said. The administration of President Donald Trump has frozen and then cut back billions of dollars of foreign aid since taking office on Jan 20 to ensure American-taxpayer money funds programmes that are aligned with his "America First" policies. The unprecedented cutbacks have effectively shut down its premier aid arm US Agency for International Development, jeopardised the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and thrown global humanitarian relief operations into chaos. The OMB recommendation is yet another sign that the administration is increasingly de-prioritizing advocacy for human rights and rule of law globally, an objective that previous US administrations have pursued. While US foreign aid freezes had already started hampering an international effort to hold Russia responsible for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Wednesday's recommendations raise the risk of US completely abandoning those efforts. Among the programmes that are recommended for termination is a US$18 million (S$23 million) State Department grant for Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office that is implemented by Georgetown University's International Criminal Justice Initiative, two sources said. An official at Georgetown declined to comment. While the programmes do not directly impact Ukraine's frontline efforts to fend off Russia's invasion, supporters say they represent the best chance of extensively documenting reported battlefield atrocities in Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two, now grinding toward a fourth year. Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crime cases since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, which has killed tens of thousands, ravaged vast swathes of the country and left behind mental and physical scars from occupation. Russia consistently denies war crimes have been committed by its forces in the conflict. Path to appeal Other programmes include one that does accountability work on Myanmar army's atrocities against Rohingya minorities as well as on the persecution of Christians and other minorities by Syria's ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, two sources said. While the OMB recommendations could face State Department push-back, the criteria to appeal are set very strictly. In an internal State Department email, the administration cautioned that any effort to preserve programmes that were recommended to be terminated should be thoroughly argued and directly aligned with Washington's priorities. "Bureaus must clearly and succinctly identify direct alignment to administration priorities," the email, reviewed by Reuters said. [[nid:719500]]
