CONTINUING CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS, QUADRENNIAL REPORTS, NGO COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS AFRICAN BODY FOR ECOSOC CONSULTATIVE STATUS

Committee on NGOs

2001 Session

19^th Meeting (AM)

CONTINUING CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS, QUADRENNIAL REPORTS, NGO COMMITTEE

RECOMMENDS AFRICAN BODY FOR ECOSOC CONSULTATIVE STATUS

The Committee on Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) this morning recommended one organization for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, deferred the applications of two others, and took note of the quadrennial reports of eight organizations.

Special consultative status was recommended for Centre Africain de Recherche Industrielle, while the applications of Dominicans for Justice and Peace (Order of Preachers) and World Council for Psychotherapy were deferred, pending further clarifications.

During its discussion of Dominicans for Justice and Peace (Order of Preachers), an international organization with offices in both Canada and Switzerland, the Russian Federation noted that the Committee had requested clarifications from the Swiss Government on the status of NGOs in that country.

Acting Committee Chairperson Mercedes de Armas Garcia (Cuba) drew the Committee’s attention to a letter from the Permanent Observer Mission of Switzerland explaining that the status of NGOs did not exist as such under Swiss law.  It had three equivalents – “association”, “fondation” and “société simple”.  Only organizations whose primary purpose was to make a profit have to be entered in the “régistre du commerce”.  Non-profit organizations would, therefore, not be found in that register, unless they asked to be registered on a voluntary basis.

The only obligation for a non-profit organization to be recognized was to write its bylaws, she continued.  As to what basis could be used to determine if an organization created under Swiss law had existed for more than two years -– a requirement for consultative status, it was recommended that the Committee request organizations to provide copies of their bylaws. 

The representative of India asked whether it could be construed that those organizations that voluntarily placed themselves in the register may or may not make a profit.  Further clarifications were requested from the Swiss Mission, and additional clarifications were sought from the NGO on its official headquarters, membership, activities and finances. 

Expressing support for the World Council for Psychotherapy, the representative of the United States said that the physical and emotional trauma experienced by those fleeing war-torn areas could not be denied and the benefits

of psychotherapy for refugees, and other victims could be tremendous.  While also convinced of the usefulness of the NGO, Germany’s representative suggested that it should be more specific with regard to its contribution to the work of the Economic and Social Council.

The representative of Algeria noted that the answers provided by the NGO were not comprehensive.  Further clarifications were requested on the NGO’s involvement in peacekeeping activities, countries in which it was providing support to refugees and its relationship with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  The organization was also asked why it had not included the contributions it received from governments, which was mentioned in its original application, but not in the follow-up information.

Several delegates expressed concern that the membership of Vaestolitto -– Family Federation of Finland -- included political parties.  China’s representative wanted to know if there was a precedent in the Committee for granting status to such organizations.  Questions were also posed on the NGO’s relationship with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), its definition of “sexual rights”, “family policy” and “family”, as well as its research done in the Horn of Africa.

The representative of Germany reminded the Committee that it had in the past recommended the granting of status to three organizations which included political parties –- the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Socialist International and Christian Democratic International.  He saw no problem in recommending status to the NGO in question.

In her capacity as observer, the representative of Finland said that the NGO had been promoting the welfare of women and children since 1941, had been instrumental in creating maternal and child-care systems in her country, and could make a great contribution to the work of the Council.  Regarding its membership, she highlighted that political parties were not members of the NGO, but rather it was the women’s and youth associations of parties that were members of the organization.

The Committee would continue its consideration of Vaestolitto –- Family Federation of Finland this afternoon.

Also this morning, the Committee took note of the quadrennial reports covering the periods 1994-1997 and 1995-1998, submitted by Airports Council International, Colombian Confederation of Non-Governmental Organizations, Goodwill Industries International, International Chamber of Shipping, International Co-operative Alliance, International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, Junior Chamber International and Pan-African Women’s Organization.  By “taking note” the Committee was not endorsing the contents of the reports.

The reports of the Muslim World League and Union Internationale des Avocats were deferred as some delegates requested further documentation and clarifications from those organizations.

The 19-member Committee considers, among other things, applications submitted by NGOs for consultative status and their requests for reclassification.  Non-governmental, non-profit voluntary organizations can be admitted into consultative status with the Council if they meet the requirements detailed in Council resolution 1996/31, regarding matters, including the organization’s activities, decision-making processes and resources.

NGOs with consultative status are classified under the "general", "special" or "roster" categories.  Those in the general category must be "concerned with most of the activities of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies".  The special category concerns those "which have a special competence in, and are concerned specifically with, only a few of the fields of activity covered by the Council".  The roster category relates to NGOs which "can make occasional and useful contributions to the work of the Council or its subsidiary bodies". 

Different privileges and obligations are accorded to each category.  NGOs with general status can propose items for the Council agenda, attend and speak at meetings and circulate statements.  Those with special status can attend meetings and circulate statements, while those on the roster can only attend meetings.  Organizations with general and special status must report every four years on their activities in support of the United Nations.

Statements were also made this morning by the representatives of France, Pakistan, Cuba, Colombia, Ethiopia and Sudan.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue consideration of applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification deferred from the previous sessions of the Committee.

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