COMMITTEE ON NGOS RECOMMENDS ISLAMIC CENTRE (ENGLAND) BE GRANTED CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITHIN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Press Release
NGO/358

COMMITTEE ON NGOS RECOMMENDS ISLAMIC CENTRE (ENGLAND) BE GRANTED CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITHIN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) this afternoon recommended that the Islamic Centre (England) be granted consultative status within the Economic and Social Council, and deferred taking action on the application by the North American Taiwanese Women’s Association for that status until Tuesday, 20 June.

As the Committee continued its review of applications for consultative status within the Council, it also deferred recommending that Hadassah, a national NGO, be granted special consultative status, pending that organization’s response to specific questions raised by delegations during this afternoon session.

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 fields 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”.

The Committee first recommended that the Islamic Centre (England) -- an international NGO based in London, United Kingdom -– be granted special consultative status within the Council.

The Centre endeavours to provide tailor-made services for the Muslim community. By organizing a number of multidisciplinary programmes, seminars and conferences, in collaboration with well-known NGOs, cultural and social services, research centres and universities in the United Kingdom and abroad, it has been able to advance a better understanding of Islam, as well as more multi-faith communication.

Speaking after the decision, the representative of Chile said that while his delegation had joined the consensus, it still had some concerns about the papers received by the Centre. One of the NGO’s articles talked about the promotion of the Islamic religion among other activities. He wanted to put on record Chile’s concern about the promotion of Islam. He stressed, however, that he was talking about the promotion of religion, in general, and not specifically the Islamic religion, for which he had great respect.

The representative of the United States agreed with Chile’s position stating that he thought the Committee shied away from any NGO that promoted a specific religion.

Committee on NGOs - 2 - Press Release NGO/358 753rd Meeting (PM) 16 June 2000

The Committee then decided to recommend that the application by the North American Taiwanese Women’s Association for general consultative status be deferred until Tuesday, 20 June, pending the organization’s response to questions and requests for statutes which would be sent out to it tonight by the Secretariat. (For more details about the organization, see press release NGO/355 dated 15 June).

A number of speakers underscored the politically motivated nature of the organization, non-respect for the Charter and its advocacy for Taiwanese independence as the primary reasons for not wanting to grant the NGO consultative status.

China’s representative reiterated that the Association’s position, objectives and activities, as reflected on its Web site, were contrary to those stated in its application. The NGO supported the independence of Taiwan, and that information was not hearsay. Its position, therefore, opposed the principles of the Charter.

Pakistan’s representative said the NGO had tried to hide more than it revealed in its application, but its Web site was a clear and flagrant violation of Charter principles. He, therefore, recommended that it not be granted any consultative status.

Lebanon’s representative said it was obvious from the evidence provided by China that the organization was politically motivated. He, therefore, supported the move to not grant it consultative status, as well.

France’s representative said, however, that the NGO should be asked to clarify its position on the issue of Taiwan and China. He suggested that questions be sent as quickly as possible to the NGO and that a decision be taken next week based on its response or non-response.

India’s representative, however, drew attention to the fact the organization had been written to three times already and had not responded. China had also provided evidence other than that displayed on the Web page, he added.

Finally this afternoon, as the Committee considered the application of Hadassah, a number of speakers drew attention to the fact that the NGO was a politically motivated organization and was involved in every aspect of Israeli policy in the Middle East and with the United States.

According to Hadassah, it pursues the ideals of democracy, health, medical research, education, women’s rights and human rights and has been involved in providing medical assistance and relief, public health training, youth programmes and vocational education in Africa, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Lebanon’s representative said that Hadassah’s Web site advocated strengthening the State of Israel and guaranteeing a unified Jerusalem as the capital of that country and that country alone. That went against the position of the United Nations. In its policy statements on its Web site, the organization noted with dismay that Palestinians and Arab States used the United Nations as a

tool in their propaganda war against Israel. It also accused Iran and Iraq of being terrorists States.

In 1998, he continued, the NGO expressed alarm at Syria, Libya and Iraq’s acquisition of nuclear technology, and called those countries rogue States. It was, therefore, obvious from the NGO’s Web site that it was politically motivated. The organization should not be granted consultative status, he stressed.

The representative of the United States said he did not begrudge any NGO an opinion on different issues. He did not see any evidence by Hadassah that it questioned the sovereignty of any Government. Through its Web site, the organization had worked tirelessly to provide care to all people and humanitarian assistance without regard to race or religion. The United States supported the organization which it felt was a good one.

The observer for Palestine said “we know that this organization is not just humanitarian one”. She wanted the NGO to state whether its position on Jerusalem was still the same. As far as she was concerned, the city was occupied territory. She also wanted to ask the organization where in Jerusalem their centre was located and whether it was a settlement. She also requested clarification by the NGO on their position relative to the treatment of prisoners of war.

Syria’s representative said it was clear that the organization infringed upon the sovereignty of some countries by calling them terrorist States. Any NGO that wanted consultative status must respect the principle of sovereignty. Why did the organization not mention Israel’s nuclear arms? Why had it singled out Iran and Iraq? he asked

He said Hadassah had also been asked about health services provided to Arabs in the occupied territory. To date, no responses had been received. “How can we believe that this organization does not make distinctions based on race, religion or nationality”? he asked. He objected to any recommendation to grant consultative status to the NGO.

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

Statements were made this afternoon by the representatives of Algeria, Chile, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Romania, Russian Federation, Sudan, and the United States.

In their capacity as observers, the representatives of Syria and Libya also made interventions, as did the observer for Palestine.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 19 June, to continue its review of applications for consultative status within the Council.

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