2000 SESSION OF NGO COMMITTEE CONTINUES

Press Release
NGO/355

2000 SESSION OF NGO COMMITTEE CONTINUES

Beginning the fourth day of the second part of its 2000 session, scheduled for 12 to 23 June, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) this morning continued reviewing applications for consultative status within the Economic and Social Council.

The current requests for consultative status were deferred from previous sessions of the Committee in 1998 and 1999.

Organizations wishing to apply for the “general” category must be concerned with most of the activities of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. “Special” category is granted to organizations that are involved specifically with only a few of the field of activity covered by the Council. Organizations that can make occasional and useful contributions to the Council or its subsidiary bodies are included on the “roster”. Such NGOs tend to have a more specific or technical focus or both.

The Committee first decided to grant special consultative status to the Ahmedabad Women’s Action Group –- a national NGO, based in Gujarat, India.

The Group is active in the area of raising women’s awareness to their individuality and leading them to demand equality and social justice. The most urgent problem that women face today is that of early death caused by violence within the family and malnutrition. Women are led by the Group to say “no” to violence, to assert their individuality and demand equality. It is through this process that the NGO seeks to promote and protect women’s rights.

In its second action this morning, the Committee decided to grant “special” consultative status to the Institute of International Social Development –- an international NGO that had requested “general” consultative status.

The Institute, based in Calcutta, India, aims to propagate the aims and objectives of the United Nations to enhance the slogan “One Earth One Family”. It has projects like SUKIKSHA, which is a year-long literacy mission for underprivileged women in developing and underdeveloped countries, so that they can become self-reliant financially, socially and intellectually.

As the Committee addressed the application of the North American Taiwanese Women’s Association –- an international NGO, requesting general consultative status -- a strong objection to the request was registered by China, which was subsequently supported by a number of other countries. The Committee,

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therefore, decided to defer taking action on the request until members received instructions from their respective capitals.

According to the Association, which is based in Huntsville, United States, its purpose is to promote and raise women’s consciousness; to improve gender equality and to prevent gender discrimination; to develop and encourage women’s ability to participate in public affairs; and to disseminate such knowledge to enrich both their public and personal lives.

The representative of China drew attention to the Association’s Web site and stated that a number of its publications revealed very strong political activity. It had, for example, protested in favour of independence for Tibet. There was also an article in which it openly proposed that Taiwan be allowed to participate in the United Nations under its own name. The NGO also supported Taiwanese independence.

He said the Association had clearly violated the Charter –- particularly, with regard to territorial integrity —- and should not be allowed to enjoy consultative status. Members of the Committee and the United Nations could not accept such an organization. The rules were clear: all NGOs seeking consultative status should abide by the territorial integrity of all Member States. He therefore recommended that the application be rejected.

While other members confirmed that they too had knowledge of the NGO’s ties with organizations that militated for Taiwan’s independence, and also insisted that organizations respect the principles of the United Nations’ Charter, many agreed with the United States request for more time to consider the issue. The representative of that country said he was hoping for a negotiated settlement on the application whose seriousness must be considered before any decision was taken.

Also this morning, the Committee deferred taking action on the application of the Kashmiri American Council —- a national NGO seeking special consultative status -- pending the submission of further questions by members to it and the responses to those question by the organization.

The chief aim of the NGO, which is based in Washington, D.C., United States, is international education and the promotion of the principles of human rights and human dignity, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, self- determination and fundamental freedoms for all, irrespective of racial, religious, linguistic and cultural preferences. Its special concern is the realization of international human rights norms.

India’s representative said the Committee had initially asked the NGO six questions. Some of them had not been answered in the response received. Also, the application stated that the right to self-determination, including independence, was a legitimate goal of the Kashmiri people. That did not sit very well with the principles of the Charter.

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The representative of the Russian Federation said that once again there was an NGO before members advocating separatism. The Committee needed to be consistent and stick to the relevant Economic and Social Council resolution.

Pakistan’s representative said he did not agree that the Kashmiri Council was the same as the North American Taiwanese Women’s Association. The Kashmiri American Council was not a separatist group, he stressed.

He also said the Committee was a technical one and should be mindful not to touch on political issues. He felt, however, that the work being done by the NGO, in terms of advocacy and raising awareness, was commendable whatever its objectives. His country did not have any problem supporting the organization.

In other action this morning, the Committee decided to grant “special” consultative status to the Voluntary Action Network India –- a national NGO that had requested “general” status.

The Network, headquartered in New Delhi, India, aims to strengthen the cause of voluntary organizations. It aims to be not only a voice for those who want to create an atmosphere for value-based voluntary action, but also a common platform for highlighting the causes, concerns and issues which affect the freedom and space for voluntary action in India.

Further this morning, the Committee decided to grant special consultative status to the Annai Educational Society, a national NGO, based in Tamil Nadu, India.

The Society imparts sound modern training in the effective management of agricultural development to small and marginal farmers. It also helps youth to start income-generating projects. The NGO also conducts leadership training, awareness camps, workshops and conferences. In addition, it imparts education in health and hygiene, provides housing and proper sanitation facilities and has established various centres, including one for free legal aid and another for drug de-addiction.

Also this morning, the Committee deferred taking action on an application by the Institute for Security Studies, an international NGO requesting general consultative status. Members wanted further clarification on the composition of its membership. A request was therefore being sent to the organization.

The mission of the Institute, located in South Africa, is to enhance human security on the African continent. This is achieved through applied research and the dissemination of information that can inform decisions on critical areas of individual, national, regional and international security. The organization is committed to democracy, good governance and the promotion of common security.

Action on the application by Africa for Christ International, an international NGO seeking general status, was also deferred while questions by the Committee were sent to the organization.

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The NGO, located in Kampala, Uganda, aims to promote socio-economic-based development, agriculture, housing and functional literacy. It also addresses poverty alleviation, promotes gender balance and trains men and women for the promotion of the Christian faith.

A number of speakers noted that while the NGO had its headquarters in Uganda, responses to questions asked by the Secretariat came from California. Clarification on that issue was requested. The Chairman of the Committee, Levent Bilman (Turkey), also suggested that special consultative status for the organization be considered, rather than general.

Questions were also raised about the organization’s financial resources. It was noted that the NGO’s administrative costs were higher than those used for projects. Information on why that was so was requested.

The Committee then deferred taking action on an application by the African Community Resource Center -– an international NGO requesting general consultative status -– pending a reply by that organization to questions sent to it by the Committee.

The Center, based in Los Angeles, United States, is committed to the humanitarian vision of improving the quality of life in developing countries by providing equal access to resources, information and health interventions. It takes responsibility for advocating on behalf of those whose human rights have been violated, including women and children in refugee camps, those who have been abused by their own governments, and those in need of hospitals, clinics and universities.

The Chairman said while there had been no responses from the Center to the questions asked by the Secretariat, the NGO had written in May saying it was still waiting to hear from its African partners.

Finally, the Committee deferred its consideration of an application by the Centro De Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez for roster consultative status until members received clarification on the composition of the organization’s membership.

The Centro, a national NGO based in San Rafael, Mexico, aims to encourage the promotion of a culture of human rights in that country and to defend individuals and groups who have their human rights violated.

Pakistan’s representative asked if it was possible for a national organization like the Centro to remain as such if it had international members.

The representative of Chile recalled that the NGO had appeared before the Committee over a year ago and had answered questions then. Mexico was a democratic society with a democratic government. The organization was working in a legal way in that country. Based on that, he believed there should be no objections to the application and that the Centro should be granted roster

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status. Having studied the NGO for more than a year now, he could say that international members had no influence in the decision-making process of the organization. Cuba’s representative said, however, that she found it hard to believe that the international members of the NGO did not have any influence on the decision-making process of the organization.

Action on the application of the Korea International Volunteer Association, an NGO requesting general consultative status, was deferred, pending requests by the Committee for the submission of more information by that organization on its links with the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The Association, which is based in Kung-Ku, Republic of Korea, is an international civil service organization that serves third world countries by protecting their people and providing medical support.

The representatives of Algeria, Bolivia, Chile, Pakistan, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Lebanon, Russian Federation, Sudan and the United States made statements this morning. Mexico spoke in its capacity as observer.

The Committee will meet again today at 3 p.m. to continue its consideration of applications for consultative status within the Council.

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