COMMITTEE APPROVES TWO NGOS FOR CONSULTATIVE STATUS, DEFERS DECISION ON TWO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Committee on NGOs

42^nd Meeting (PM)

COMMITTEE APPROVES TWO NGOS FOR CONSULTATIVE STATUS,

DEFERS DECISION ON TWO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

The structure of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was under debate as representatives of four groups addressed the Committee on NGOs this afternoon.  The Committee was meeting to continue its resumed 2001 session by considering new applications for consultative status and for reclassification of status with the Council.

Two of the NGOs were recommended for the special status they had requested.  A decision on two applications was deferred over aspects of eligibility for consultative status, based on such elements as membership, election of officers, location of headquarters and independence of funding.

Recommended for special consultative status were Intersos Humanitarian Aid Organization and Isis-Women's International Cross-cultural Exchange.  Deferred were the applications of the Islamic-American Zakat Foundation and Africa Legal Aid.

First to address the Committee was a representative of the Intersos Humanitarian Aid Organization, an Italian-based international organization providing emergency relief.  Algeria, Senegal, France and India took part in an exchange to clarify that the term "intervention" in the organization's application should have read as "assistance".  The Committee recommended special consultative status.

A representative of a Uganda-based international NGO, Isis-Women's International Cross-Cultural Exchange, also clarified aspects of her application related to finances, activities and organization before the Committee recommended special status.  China, Colombia, India, Senegal, Algeria and Cuba took part in the exchange that brought forward the need to clarify whether organizations need an elective structure.

Applications considered this afternoon are contained in documents E/C.2/2001/R.2/Add.6-8.

As a standing body of the Economic and Social Council, the 19-member Committee on NGOs makes recommendations on applications for consultative status within the Council and on requests for change in status.  Three classifications are accorded.  Roster status entitles organizations to participate in Council meetings.  NGOs with special status can also circulate statements, while those with general status can speak at meetings and propose agenda items.  Those with special or general status are required to submit quadrennial reports on activities that support the work of the United Nations.

Deferred was a decision on the application of Africa Legal Aid, an international human rights organization promoting human rights by offering legal protection throughout Africa.  The organization's representative answered questions posed by Senegal, Ethiopia, Algeria, India, China, Cuba, Germany, France, United States and Sudan.  She clarified issues raised by a move of the organization's headquarters from the Netherlands to Ghana, and also elaborated on the group's work, its close ties with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its finances. 

Also deferred was a recommendation on the application of the Islamic-American Zakat Foundation, a United States-based national organization disbursing the Islamic charity known as zakat and sadaqa.  Germany's representative cautioned against applying double standards if the organization excluded assistance to non-Muslims.  Representatives of Sudan and Pakistan pointed out that zakat was a charity specifically involving only Muslims, as set out by religious teaching.

The Russian Federation's representative described zakat as a tax irrelevant to the Council's work, while the United States representative said the NGO was probably associated with a programme in his country entitled the "workplace campaign".  Through that arrangement, taxpayers donated a portion of their paycheque to an organization of their choice, registered with the Government for the purpose.  India's representative pointed out a link between that organization and another, the Minaret of Freedom Institute, which was a United States-based policy research institute requesting special consultative status and one whose application the Committee had not yet been considered.  Both had six members and six elected board members.

The NGO Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 22 January, to continue considering new applications and new requests for reclassification of consultative status.

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