Argentina’s controversial move to withdraw from the World Health Organization is facing growing opposition at home, as a coalition of nongovernmental organizations warns it could jeopardize the country’s access to lifesaving health support. The group is asking the World Health Organization’s director-general to reject the withdrawal.
In a letter dated May 23 and shared with Devex, the organizations said the decision to withdraw from WHO requires congressional approval. They argued that, per Argentina’s Constitution, Congress has the power to “approve or reject treaties concluded with other nations and international organizations,” and thus it follows that Congress should have a say when a country wishes to withdraw from such treaties.
The Argentine Congress “has done absolutely nothing so far,” and no lawmaker has challenged the government’s decision to withdraw, according to Juliana Miranda, who serves as coordinator for Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales, one of the organizations behind the letter.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
