Lives at Risk: The Human Rights Consequences of U.S. HIV/AIDS Aid Cuts in Sub-Saharan Africa
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Online registration is now closed. Please call 212 382 6663 for assistance!
Format: Webinar
Program Fee:
Free for Members | $20 for Non-Members
Please Note: A final confirmation containing the Zoom link and Access Code to join the event will be sent to ALL registrants 2 hours prior to the start of the event.
Description:
In January 2025, Executive Order 14169 suspended all U.S. foreign aid, prompting alarm across the global health and human rights communities. A United Nations report estimates the cuts have contributed to over 350,000 deaths worldwide—more than half of them children—and placed more than 32 million people at risk of losing access to essential health services. South Africa, home to over 8 million people living with HIV/AIDS, has been among the most severely affected.
Our panel of experts will speak to the humanitarian and legal consequences of the aid suspension, with a focus on South Africa. The discussion will address the disruption of health systems, the impact on vulnerable and marginalized populations, and the legal implications—including potential violations of the rights to health, life, and non-discrimination. Panelists will also explore available legal and policy mechanisms to pursue accountability and advocate for the restoration of equitable access to care.
Moderator:
Melissa M. Verpile, Program Director for Democracy, Gender and Inclusion, Parliamentarians for Global Action
Speakers:
Seun Bakare, Senior Associate, Human Dignity Trust, Ph.D. International Criminal Law
Sandra Makoasha, Advocate, High Court of South Africa & Commissioner for Health, South Africa Human Rights Commission
Dawie Nel, Executive Director, OUT LGBT Well-being
Sibongile Tshabalala, National Chairperson, Treatment Action Campaign
Sponsoring Committee:
African Affairs, Melissa Marie Verpile, Chair
Co-Sponsoring Committees:
Council on International Affairs, Peggy McGuinness, Chair
International Human Rights, Suchitra Vijayan, Chair
Health Law, Debra L. Cohn, Chair
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ Rights, Hayley Gorenberg and Jared Trujillo, Co-Chairs