COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMENDS TWO GROUPS FOR COSULTATIVE STATUS, TAKES NOTE OF 39 QUADRENNIAL REPORTS

Press Release
NGO/337

COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMENDS TWO GROUPS FOR COSULTATIVE STATUS, TAKES NOTE OF 39 QUADRENNIAL REPORTS

As it neared the end of its resumed 1999 session, the Committee on Non- Governmental Organizations this morning took decisions on applications for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, and took note of 39 quadrennial reports submitted by groups already enjoying consultative status.

This morning the Committee decided to recommend that the Council grant special consultative status to two non-governmental organizations and left pending its decision on another group's application. Also, it recommended reclassifying one group and left pending its decision on another request for reclassification.

The 19-member Committee makes recommendations on non-governmental organization applications for consultative status with the Council. Groups are granted roster, special or general status. Each carries with it a set of privileges and responsibilities. The consultative relationship with non-profit civil society bodies is designed to be mutually beneficial, enrich the work of the Council and the non-governmental organizations, and further support the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

The Committee recommended special consultative status be granted to the Norwegian Refugee Council and Association Tunisie-Mediterranee pour le development durable (ATUMED). It decided to leave pending its decision on an application for consultative status of the International Peace Bureau. Also, the Committee recommended reclassifying the World Alliance of Reformed Churches from roster to special status.

It left pending its decision on an application for reclassification from roster to special status by International P.E.N. Cuba’s representative said there had been reports that the organization was actively interfering in the internal affairs of her Government. She believed that the organization had held meetings with individuals or groups that had been acting illegally in Cuba. Clarification was needed on those meetings. The Committee Chairman, Wahid Ben Amor (Tunisia), stressed that the Committee, while it could ask a non-governmental organization to provide the names of affiliated groups, could not require an organization to identify specific individuals within those groups.

The Committee took note of 39 quadrennial reports and left pending its decision on another three reports. It had before it a series of documents from the Secretary-General transmitting reports for the periods 1994 to 1997, and 1995 to 1998, submitted pursuant to Council resolution 1996/31. According to the resolution, groups with special and general status are required to report on their activities every four years. The submitted reports cover such matters as objectives, publications, recent activities, relationships with United Nations entities and changes in funding sources.

Committee on NGOs - 2 - Press Release NGO/337 734th Meeting (AM) 28 January 2000

Concerning the reports, the Committee just decided to leave pending its decision on whether to take note of the quadrennial reports of the World Islamic Congress until questions posed by India's representative were answered.

In one action, the Committee decided to take note of quadrennial reports from: International Association for the Defence of Religious Liberty; International Federation of Persons with Physical Disability; Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development; Liberal International (World Liberal Union); Pan American-Pan African Association; and World Federation of United Nations Associations (document E/C.2/1999/2/Add.18). It did not act on the report of the Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation, pending receipt of written information requested by Pakistan’s representative.

It then took note in one action of reports from: Asia Crime Prevention Foundation; Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants; Global 2000; Liberal International; and World Organization of Building Officials (document E/C.2/1999/2/Add.19).

The Committee also took note of another document with quadrennial reports from: African Association of Education for Development; Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements; Dominican Union of Journalists for Peace; Women’s World Summit Foundation; World Coal Institute; and World Young Women’s Christian Association (document E/C.2/1999/2/Add.20).

In another consolidated action, the Committee took note of the quadrennial reports of: Association of Medical Doctors of Asia; Center for International Health and Cooperation; European Forum for Victim Services; European Insurance Committee; Federation of National Representatives of the Experiment in International Living; Human Rights Internet; International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development; International Hotel and Restaurant Association; World Assembly of Youth; World Federation of United Nations Associations; World Information Transfer; and Worldview International Foundation (document E/C.2/1999/2/Add.21).

Also, the Committee took note of quadrennial reports from: European League for Economic Cooperation; Global Fund for Women; Inclusion International; International Council of Environmental Law; International Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse; International Multiracial Shared Cultural Organization; International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association; Lawyers Committee for Human Rights; International Union of Technical Associations and Organizations; and World Federalist Movement (document E/C.2/1999/2/Add.22). It left pending its decision on the report of the World Federation of Trade Unions, contained in the same document, until it received information regarding the Federation’s Pakistani affiliates.

The representatives of Sudan, Tunisia, Russian Federation, India, China, Tunisia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Senegal, Ireland, Chile, Algeria and France spoke this morning. The Committee was also addressed by a representative of the Himalyan Research and Cultural Foundation, as well as the Chief of the Non-Governmental Organization Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Hanifa Mezoui.

When the Committee meets again at 3 p.m. today, it expects to act on all outstanding matters and conclude its two-week resumed 1999 session.

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