COMMITTEE ON NGOS DECIDES IT IS NOT IN POSITION TO TAKE NOTE OF ROBERT F. KENNEDY MEMORIAL REPORT

Press Release
NGO/335

COMMITTEE ON NGOS DECIDES IT IS NOT IN POSITION TO TAKE NOTE OF ROBERT F. KENNEDY MEMORIAL REPORT

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations this afternoon decided that it was not in a position to take note of the report of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, because several delegations had doubts about an organization that the group had accredited to participate in its name in the Commission on Human Rights. That decision followed a discussion this morning and afternoon, in which concern was also expressed about a human rights award that was given to an anonymous recipient in the Sudan.

China’s representative reiterated his delegation’s opinion that it was unable to take note of the Memorial’s report because there were still serious doubts about the transparency of the organization's work. He said that resolution 1996/31 should not only serve as the guideline for the Committee, but also for all non-governmental organizations that had been granted consultative status.

Pakistan’s representative said that while it was recognized that non- governmental organizations could appoint other individuals or groups to speak on their behalf, it was also true that those organizations should bear the responsibility for the statements and behaviour of those individuals or groups.

Regarding the anonymous award recipient, the representative of the United States responded to comments made this morning by China's representative that the Memorial must work transparently. The United States delegate said that the work being recognized through the award was transparent; it was only the identity of the person involved that was being kept unknown.

The Memorial’s representative said that her organization took its relationship with the Council very seriously and had never forgotten its obligations. She said that some organizations with which there was a long and credible working relationship were given permission to speak on the Memorial’s behalf. The Memorial practised transparency, in all its work. In the case of the human rights award that had been given anonymously, the Memorial had followed the special guidelines concerning human rights defenders under resolution 53/144.

Also this afternoon, the Committee discussed how to consider its working methods. Cuba’s representative said that the matter should be dealt with at an early meeting in the May session. The Committee should support the ongoing process of strengthening the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Economic and Social Council, because the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) was going to take up the matter in February. She also addressed other matters of

Committee on NGOs - 2 - Press Release NGO/335 732nd Meeting (PM) 27 January 2000

concern, including how to address those NGOs that had been given consultative status decades ago and no further information was known.

The representatives of Chile, Algeria, Turkey, Sudan, China, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Ireland, France and India also spoke this afternoon.

The Committee is scheduled to meet again at 6:30 p.m. tonight to continue its work.

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