NEW YORK -- The Bush administration's recent decision to cut back funds appropriated by Congress to the United Nations Population Fund, or UNFPA, will have serious repercussions in that agency's support for reproductive health in developing countries. The U.S. decision is aggravated by reduced contributions from Japan and Denmark. UNFPA is accused of condoning forced abortions in China, and of making abortions a general part of its policy. This accusation was originally made by the Population Research Institute, an antiabortion group that has branches worldwide. Officials from the institute alleged that American funds were being used "illegally" by UNFPA to pay for forced abortions, forced contraception and forced sterilization in China.
UNFPA's response to these accusations is that its work in China is conducted in areas where the one-child family policy is no longer enforced, and that American funds are not used for programs in China regardless.
Amy Cohen, the president of Population Action International, an organization active in voluntary population planning, said the funds cutback is motivated by domestic politics. She criticized the measure because she said it will have a negative impact on preventing unwanted pregnancies and the spread of HIV.