The 75th World Health Assembly concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, without passing 12 of 13 amendments the Biden administration proposed to increase the World Health Organization’s (WHO) power. “A chorus of opposition sounded out over the prospect of giving the reins to this group that gave cover to the Chinese Communist Party and sat on their hands when COVID-19 was beginning to spread,” said FRC President Tony Perkins on “Washington Watch.”
What the developing world lacks in pharmaceuticals, wealth, and geopolitical might, they make up for in votes. Represented by Botswana, 47 African nations expressed unified opposition to the amendments offered by the U.S., as did Brazil (South America) and a number of Asian countries, including Brunei, Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, and Russia. “Brazil in particular said it would exit WHO altogether, rather than allow its population to be made subject to the new amendments,” wrote James Roguski, member of the Law and Activism Committee at the World Council for Health.
Instead, the World Health Assembly adopted five amendments by consensus on Friday, including a revised version of one amendment proposed by the Biden administration, explained Chris Gacek, coalitions senior research fellow with Family Research Council, and Arielle Del Turco, assistant director of the Center for Religious Liberty at Family Research Council, who tracked the proceedings closely. They continued, “the five adopted amendments appear to be focused on procedural issues related to rejections, reservations, and amendments to the International Health Regulations.”
“I think the attention that this gathered prior to the assembly made all the difference in the world,” Perkins told his listeners. “Folks, you made a difference once again by raising your voices and expressing concern.” Smaller foreign nations may have been emboldened to take a stand by noticing the extent of domestic opposition the Biden administration faced. “I’m not going to say they backed off,” Perkins said, speaking of the Biden administration, “but they were forced to drop it because the opposition was just so strong.”
But the Biden administration hasn’t given up. Roguski explained on “Washington Watch” that a working group will assemble in November to consider further amendments, which will be presented to next year’s World Health Assembly, and he hopes it will make the process more transparent. Still, the creation of the working groups demonstrates the globalist faction hasn’t given up. “The WHO, the U.S., the EU, and other Western countries have created a working group process whose goal is to carry out the political agenda to embodied by the 13 proposed Biden amendments,” wrote Gacek and Del Turco.
But before that working group convenes, those seeking to consolidate power in WHO are initiating a backup plan, a worldwide pandemic treaty. “There have been millions of words written by all kinds of organizations for negotiating a new document,” said Roguski, “a treaty that would give just enormous control and enormous powers to the WHO.” An intergovernmental negotiating body will meet in late July to craft a first draft by August 1. “We’re going to continue to track this,” Perkins promised.
Before the pandemic treaty is drafted, however, there will be a public comment period in mid-June. “Boy, are they going to be in for a shock,” predicted Roguski, “when the people speak. … What would you want a worldwide pandemic treaty to include in terms of giving power and sovereignty to a One World Health Organization?” Roguski urged listeners to “go to StopTheWHO.com and learn about the proposals that are being discussed. … You will just be amazed at how they’re trying to take over absolutely every aspect of society.”
The first round of public hearings took place on April 12-13. The second round of public hearings will be held on June 16-17.
Joshua Arnold is a senior writer at The Washington Stand.
