American Civil Liberties Union

Dear Conferee: 

During conference committee consideration of the FY 2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, the American Civil Liberties Union strongly urges you to support language included in the Senate version of the bill that would repeal the global gag rule -- a dangerous, anti-democratic restriction on overseas family planning aid. 

The Global Gag Rule prohibits foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. family planning dollars from using their own -- not U.S. government -- funds to advocate for legal abortion, to perform legal abortions in their own countries, or to counsel and refer women for abortions. It undermines women's health by denying aid money to organizations that provide crucial family planning services simply because these organizations exercise their right to act as advocates and to speak out against laws and policies with which they disagree. 

The language in the Senate version of the bill, which would repeal the gag rule, promotes American values of free speech and democratic participation. It ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations are not forced to sacrifice their right to use their own funds to engage in free speech as a condition of eligibility for U.S. aid money. It also protects women's health by ensuring that these organizations can provide their patients with the comprehensive information they need to make appropriate decisions about their own care. 

The ACLU strongly urges you to support this Senate language. It will ensure that international family planning aid is offered in a manner that is consistent with American values and that organizations that provide critical health care services are not inappropriately disqualified from U.S. aid programs. 

Sincerely, 

Laura W. Murphy
Director 

Gregory T. Nojeim
Associate Director and Chief Legislative Counsel