The US administration is considering cutting off funding for a number of programs that investigate and prosecute war crimes around the world.
This could include initiatives aimed at documenting crimes in Myanmar, Syria, as well as Russian atrocities in Ukraine, Reuters writes.
White House Recommends No Funding for War Crimes Investigations
On Wednesday, the White House proposed cutting funding for nearly two dozen programs that focus on investigating and prosecuting international war crimes.
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The move could impact programs aimed at bringing justice to Myanmar, Syria, and cases involving Russian atrocities in Ukraine.
— The OMB recommendation, which has not been previously reported, is not a final decision to end the programs because it gives the State Department the opportunity to appeal, the publication notes, citing two sources familiar with the matter, as well as internal government documents.
But the recommendation opens up potential avenues for collaboration between the agency and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides, who could make the case to the agency for programs that deserve further funding.
The State Department and the Office of Budget Management did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Funding for the most important programs can be maintained
Rubio should not be expected to insist on continuing all programs, U.S. officials said.
A senior U.S. diplomat could make a case for preserving sensitive programs, such as those that facilitate potential war crimes prosecutions in Ukraine, one person familiar with the matter said.
Let us recall that after the start of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, human rights activists joined forces within the T4P (Tribunal for Putin) initiative. Their goal is to document war crimes committed by Russian troops. From February 2022 to March 2025, more than 84 thousand such episodes were recorded.
