The battle for health justice: addressing rising extremism and the erosion of Human Rights

Global health is in peril today. With the rise of anti-minority movements, of extremism, and isolationism , access to healthcare is increasingly threatened for the most vulnerable populations. The erosion of international funding — especially the abrupt withdrawal of the United States from global health solidarity — is a severe blow to the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This alarming situation jeopardises decades of progress and risks triggering an uncontrollable resurgence of epidemics. These issues are explored in depth in our new paper, “The battle for health justice: addressing rising extremism and the erosion of Human Rights”, which draws on firsthand testimony and expert insight to show how rising extremism, shrinking health access, and global disengagement are threatening both lives and rights.

A Fight for Equality and Dignity

The battle against these pandemics is not just a public health issue — it is a matter of social justice and human rights. Systemic discrimination against sexual minorities, sex workers, incarcerated populations, and ethnic minorities hinders their access to healthcare and fuels the spread of disease. Every setback in prevention and treatment programmes translates into lives lost.

Alarming Figures: Inaction Kills

The withdrawal of U.S. funding is a health catastrophe. In just one year, it is estimated that:

• 1,650,000 people living with HIV will die due to lack of treatment.
• 500,000 people will die due to the absence of vaccines.
• More than 600,000 people will lose their lives to tuberculosis and malaria.

And these numbers are only the beginning of a downward spiral if other countries follow suit.

EU’s Responsibility

In this context, the European Commission has a crucial role to play. As a global leader in health and human rights, its actions set a precedent far beyond Europe’s borders. At a time when health systems are under siege and human dignity is increasingly politicised, the Commission must reaffirm its role as a champion of solidarity and justice. Its historic partnership with the Global Fund — alongside the contributions of EU Member States — has already saved millions of lives. This leadership must continue. Inaction now would not only undermine decades of progress but also risk Europe’s credibility as a defender of human rights and international stability.

A Call to Action

In an era of unprecedented global upheaval, the strategic choices made by donors on the international stage are shaping the course of history. We call on the European Commission to stand on the right side of history by recommitting itself to the fight against health inequalities, now more threatened than ever. This is why we urge the European Commission to pledge €800 million to the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment. This is not merely a financial decision — it is a commitment to life, to justice, and to the foundational values the EU was built upon.