NGO COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS FOUR ORGANIZATIONS FOR SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
| Press Release NGO/491 |
Committee on NGOs
43rd & 44th Meetings (AM & PM)
NGO COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS FOUR ORGANIZATIONS FOR SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS
WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
Four organizations were recommended for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council by the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) today, as the Committee met to consider new and previously deferred applications for such status as part of its 2002 resumed session.
The Committee also left pending the applications of nine other organizations. It deferred decision on one application until the Committee’s next session, to begin in May.
Recommended for special consultative status today were: Ligue internationale contre le racisme et l’antisemitisme, an international organization based in Paris; the International Self-Reliance Agency for Women, a national organization from the United States; International Planned Parenthood Federation, Western Hemisphere Region, Inc., based in New York and the Mentor Foundation, an international anti-drug organization based in Geneva.
Left pending were: the European Industrial Gases Association, World Council of Muslim Communities, Asian-Eurasian Rights Forum, International Prostitutes Collective, Kashmiri American Council, Africa for Christ International, African Community Resource Centre, Relief International, and Vishva Hindu Parishad.
The Human Rights International Alliance, based in the United Kingdom, was deferred until the Committee’s next session.
Privileges conferred by consultative status with the Economic and Social council vary according to the level of status -- roster, special or general. Organizations that have special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council can attend its meetings and circulate statements of a certain length. They are required to submit reports on their activities in support of the United Nations every four years. Organizations with roster status can attend meetings but are not required to submit quadrennial reports.
Today’s recommendation of International Planned Parenthood Federation, Western Hemisphere Region, Inc. for special status occurred after a sustained discussion concerning its autonomy and views. Chile’s representative expressed appreciation for its work in addressing the particular problems of Latin America and was supported in that view by the representatives of Romania, Germany, France and the United States, all of whom were willing to provide the recommendation at the outset.
The representative of Pakistan, however, reiterated his view that the organization appeared to be subordinate to its parent organization. Along with Iran’s representative, he also pointed to, as problematic, certain marriage and sexual rights mentioned in the application.
The representative of the organization, present at the meeting, said that each of the regional affiliates of International Planned Parenthood was an autonomous entity that had different priorities depending on their region. Regarding rights, she said the organization knew it had its own, particular views regarding the outcomes of international conferences, with which others might or might not agree. A consensus for the recommendation was reached after further discussion.
The application of International Prostitutes Collective, based in San Francisco,was left pending after Iran’s representative said that the organization’s aim of legalizing prostitution was counter to principles and instruments of the United Nations. Representatives of Cameroon, Pakistan, Sudan, Zimbabwe, China and Cuba supported that view. Germany’s representative, noting that prostitution was legal in his country, said he could not reject the application on that point.
Relief International’s application was also left pending after a request for clarification, by the Russian Federation, concerning the organization’s mention of the Chechen conflict as a “war of independence”, as well as its criteria in determining vulnerable populations in conflicts.
The application of Vishva Hindu Parishad was left pending until Friday after Pakistan’s representative said the organization was implicated in anti-Muslim violence in India; had not responded to questions; and should be rejected. Objecting to the tone and scope of Pakistan’s statement, India’s representative asked that a final reminder to answer outstanding questions should be sent to the organization. That reminder would be sent out immediately, according to the Committee’s decision.
Also speaking today were the representative of Turkey and the observer representative of Israel.
Applications considered today are contained in documents E/C.2/2002/R.2, Adds. 9, 14, 15; and E/C.2/2002/CRP.5.
The NGO Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 22 January, to continue its consideration of applications for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
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