COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ONE NGO FOR SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL; DEFERS ONE APPLICATION; LEAVES TWO PENDING

Committee on NGOs

44^th Meeting (PM)

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ONE NGO FOR SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECONOMIC

AND SOCIAL COUNCIL; DEFERS ONE APPLICATION; LEAVES TWO PENDING

Taking up applications that had been deferred from its previous session, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) this afternoon considered the applications of “A Centre for the World Religions”, “Felege Guihon”, the "Family Research Council” and the “International Lesbian and Gay Association" (ILGA), which is attempting to restore the consultative status that was the first ever to be reversed. 

The Committee recommended a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council for "A Centre for the World Religions”, as it continued its resumed 2001 resumed session.  The Germany-based international institution promoting cooperation between faiths and cultures received that recommendation after statements were made by the representatives of Germany, Ethiopia, India, Algeria, Sudan, the Russian Federation, Tunisia and Cuba.

Left pending was an application for general consultative status by the United States-based “Family Research Council”, a national organization.  Addressing the Committee, the organization’s representative made clarifications and affirmed the organization's national status.  After statements by the representatives of Germany, India, Bolivia, Algeria, France, China, United States and Ethiopia, the organization was asked to submit a revised application reflecting the clarifications.

Also left pending for further consideration during the present session was the application of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA).  Taking it up, the representative of Pakistan recalled that the NGO had lost its consultative status before charges against it had been cleared.  The reversal of ILGA's consultative status by recorded vote had been the first time such a decision had been made.  The ILGA had been trying to regain its status.  Members had been asked to sign affidavits dissociating themselves from a practice inconsistent with United Nations principles, namely pedophilia.  The organization had agreed, but half its members had resigned rather than do so and less than half had signed to date.  The organization had not proven its dissociation from such practices.  If consultative status were to be restored, what contribution could the organization offer the Economic and Social Council?

The representatives of Germany, France and Sudan called for the ILGA representative to appear before the Committee.

The ILGA representative said pedophilia was a criminal act.  The ILGA had never promoted, condoned or encouraged pedophilia activities.  A distinction had

to be made between that issue and the issue of homosexual orientation, which concerned consensual activities between adults of the same sex.  For ILGA to be confused with pedophilia was not only hurtful, but tended to fuel perceptions that could do grave damage to the work of the organization in eliminating sexual discrimination.

Further, she said, through its consultative status with the Council of Europe, ILGA had acquired a lot of experience with the issue of discrimination in all areas.  Often, individuals were discriminated against both on sexual orientation and ethnicity or religion.  The ILGA could make that experience available to the Economic and Social Council.

Deferred this afternoon was the application of Felege Guihon International, a Switzerland-based organization supporting development projects in the Nile and in other African river regions.  A debate was held on whether to hear the representative since some delegations needed to consult with capitals on policy issues.  Questions related to waste management and other projects of the NGO's involvement were put to the NGO by representatives of Ethiopia, Sudan, France, United States, Algeria, Senegal and Egypt, who spoke as an observer.    

Responding to the Committee, the organization’s representative described his group's collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a programme to fight poverty.  He also described a food distribution project in drought-stricken regions where Western food assistance did not meet local needs, and an organic waste management system based on processing by microorganisms.

The applications considered by the Committee today are contained in document E/C.2/2001/CRP.5.  They are part of the documentation for recommendations that the 19-member Committee makes on requests for consultative status with the Council or for change in status.  Three classifications are available, roster, special and general.  NGOs with roster status are entitled to participate in Council meetings.  Those with special status may also circulate statements while those with general status may, in addition, speak at meetings and propose agenda items.  NGOs with either special or general consultative status are required to submit quadrennial reports on activities supporting the work of the United Nations.

The representatives of France, Sudan, Algeria and Senegal took part in a debate on points of order, as did that of Egypt, an observer.

Also speaking this afternoon were the representatives of Lebanon and Chile.

The NGO Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 23 January, to continue considering those applications for consultative status, or reclassification of status, which had been deferred from the Committee's previous session.

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