Committee on NGOs

3^rd & 4^th Meetings (AM & PM)

Committee on NGOs Grants Consultative Status to 13 Groups,

 

Postpones Its Consideration of 44 Others

 

Recommending consultative status with the Economic and Social Council for 13 entities today, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) also postponed its consideration of 44 other applications, pending receipt of additional information, and heard one complaint.

The 19-member Committee recommends general, special or roster status with the Council in accordance with such criteria as the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.  Organizations enjoying general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and circulate statements, while those that have general status can, in addition, speak at meetings and propose agenda items.  NGOs with roster status are restricted to attending meetings.

Today, the Committee recommended special consultative status for:

Women Organization for Development and Capacity-Building, a Sudan-based national body trying to develop the skills of war-affected women and build their educational, economic and social capacities to contribute to the promotion of a healthy environment, and to empower women to play a positive role in development;

Centre for Assistance to Human Rights Protection, a national organization based in the Russian Federation, which endeavours to promote a culture of peace and non-violence, while preventing social, ethnic, religious and international conflicts -- the main aims of the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights;

Eco-Tiras International Environmental Association of River Keepers, an international organization headquartered in the Republic of Moldova, which promotes sustainable development in the transboundary Dniester/Nistru River basin region, shared by the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine;

Fondation Suisse Maroc pour le développement durable, an international organization based in Switzerland, which is involved in strengthening ties between Switzerland and Morocco, and supporting sustainable development projects;

Reach Out & Care Wheels, an international organization based in the United States, which seeks to provide for the worldwide need for mobility products by establishing local wheelchair factories to empower individuals to provide for their own needs;

Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons, an international organization based in the United States, which focuses on saving lives in developing countries by improving surgical care;

Ayande Roshan Nokhbegan Foundation, an Iran-based national organization seeking to grant scholarships to talented and qualified school and university students, and to achieve sustainable development by helping training and education institutions;

Association de développement de Korba, a national organization in Tunisia, which seeks to support development in the Korba region;

Family Planning Association, Islamic Republic of Iran, a national organization contributing to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially among youth and vulnerable groups, in accordance with the society’s cultural values;

Fundación Cimientos, a national organization in Argentina seeking quality education for all;

Organisation des hommes d é munis et enfants orphelins pour le d é veloppement, an international organization headquartered in Congo, which supports men, women and children in need as a result of war;

Justice for All-Prison Fellowship Ethiopia, a national organization seeking, among other things, to enhance the quality of prison service delivery while ensuring due process and reducing the abuse of human rights in general, and prisoners’ rights in particular.

Pending receipt of additional information, the Committee postponed its consideration of applications submitted by the following NGOs:

Turkiye Kadin Girisimciler Dernegi (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey) -- a national organization striving to improve women's social and economic position, with the goal of creating a world where they participate in all kinds of decision-making processes –- when Egypt’s representative requested more information about its registration and finances;

Victorious Youths Movement -- a national organization based in Cameroon, whose aims include fighting HIV/AIDS, conserving the environment, empowering youths and women to alleviate poverty, revitalizing agriculture and protecting human rights -- as representatives’ had received no responses to their questions;

Youth Crime Watch of Nigeria -- a national organization aiming to provide crime-, drug- and violence-free environments conducive to learning and living; to instil positive values, foster good citizenship and build self-confidence in young people; and to enable youth to become resources for preventing crime, drug use and violence in their schools and neighbourhoods -- as Egypt’s representative sought more details about its activities in the areas of drug abuse and human trafficking throughout Nigeria;

Youths for the Child’s Welfare -- a Cameroon-based national organization which seeks to bring together young people of all walks of life, especially females; and to help them draw educational, social, economic, religious and cultural experiences from one another –- after the representatives of Dominica and Egypt asked what contribution it could make to the work of the Economic and Social Council.  Egypt’s representative also asked about the group’s finances and its relationship with Cameroon’s National Commission on Human Rights;

Assembl é e des premi è res nations du Qu é bec et du Labrador -- a national organization based in Canada, which seeks to affirm the rights of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, while securing governmental recognition and greater financial autonomy for them -- as Burundi’s representative asked whether its objectives or initiatives were being exported, and Egypt’s representative asked about its independence from the Canadian Government, among other things;

Conseil en é ducation des premi è res nations -- an association of First Nations in Canada, with the common goal of gaining full control of their education -- when Egypt’s representative asked for more details about its education programmes and inquired how it was able to maintain its independence from the Government;

Framework Convention Alliance on Tobacco Control -- an international organization based in Switzerland, which aims to protect present and future generations from tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke -- after Egypt’s representative asked how it planned to tackle the negative aspects of tobacco control in developing countries, and requested details of its collaboration with Governments.  He also asked how the organization could contribute to the Council’s work;

Fundacion Eudes -- an international organization headquartered in Mexico, which seeks to help people infected with HIV/AIDS to recover their dignity as human beings and to reintegrate them into society in a productive way -- after Egypt’s representative asked about a human rights programme it had referred to;

International Congo Aid-Smile African Children -- a national organization based in the United Kingdom, which promotes the well-being of Congolese and other communities, especially in poor rural or urban zones –- after the representatives of Egypt and the Russian Federation raised questions about its registration and finances;

National Native Title Council -- a national organization in the United Kingdom providing a national voice for native-title representative bodies and native-title service providers on matters of national significance affecting native title and associated rights of the aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders – when India’s representative asked about Government contributions and whether the NGO was a for-profit body.  Egypt’s representative asked about its administrative costs as a percentage of its budget;

We the Children -- an international organization based in France, which works towards reducing poverty and hunger, improving health care and defending children’s rights -- as Egypt’s representative asked whether it was involved in transboundary adoption programmes or intended to carry out such programmes in the future;

Academy of Fine Arts and Literature -- a national organization in India which supports literary and cultural activities in the South Asia region as well as the empowerment of women by creating multidimensional awareness among adolescent girls and women from slum areas, through basic education, vocational skills, health awareness, legal aid and counselling -– when Pakistan’s representative asked about its activities in the regional context and for a list of its representatives and offices in South Asia, particularly Pakistan;

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact -- a Thailand-based national organization which seeks to strengthen the struggles, and enhance cooperation and solidarity among indigenous peoples across Asia –- after China’s representative requested that it correct its listing of Taiwan as a country.  Egypt’s representative asked about the group’s finances and membership structure, while India’s representative requested a breakdown of its budgetary expenses;

Association des femmes tunisiennes pour la recherche et le développement -- a national organization in Tunisia that aims to develop critical and constructive thinking on the status of women and promote women’s rights -- as the representatives of Burundi, Egypt, India and Cuba raised questions about its finances, status and membership structure.  Pakistan’s representative wanted to see its reports and publications issued over the past five years;

Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation -- an international organization headquartered in Saint Lucia, which strives for the development of world-class electric energy services for all peoples of the Caribbean -- after the representatives of China and Egypt requested that it use the correct United Nations terminology for Taiwan and asked about its membership structure;

Caribbean and Latin America Trade Association -- a Turkey-based national organization known as Tuklad, which aims to develop trade, industry, finance and tourism relationships and social activities, while helping the development of economic relations between Turkey and the Latin America and Caribbean region -- as the representatives of Burundi and Peru questioned its independence and asked about its contacts with Governments in Latin America.  Egypt’s representative requested a list of participants in the Turkish and Caribbean and Latin America Forum and asked about the NGO’s finances;

Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir Córdoba -- a national organization based in Argentina, which aims to foster discussion and action on issues such as reproductive rights, sexuality, health and citizenship of women –- when Qatar’s representative sought clarification of the term “sexual orientation” and asked whether the organization had been involved in sexual education programmes.  She also asked about its aim of revising or changing cultural patterns in local society, and whether it encouraged abstinence to avoid abortion.  Egypt’s representative requested an updated budget for 2008 and 2009 and an elaboration of the group’s views and efforts regarding sexual education.  Questions were also asked about the role of faith in its activities;

Cause Première -- a Senegal-based national organization working in the areas of health, education and the elimination of marginalization and female poverty, while supporting women victims of armed conflict -- as Egypt’s representative sought a correction to a reference to “another representative”, which should have read “Egypt’s representative”;

Centre for Public Health -- a national organization based in Nigeria, which works in the areas of HIV/AIDS, malaria and health –- as Egypt’s representative asked about its finances and membership structure;

Chamber of Computer Logistics People Worldwide -- an India-based international organization that promotes youth’s need for higher education while seeking to educate underprivileged and needy youth to help build a world in which every young person would have access to affordable higher education -- when Pakistan’s representative asked whether it was involved in trade and commercial activities, and sought a clarification of its relationships with ambassadors mentioned in answers it had provided;

Chinese Young Volunteers Association -- a China-based national organization aiming to build up and improve a national system to mobilize and organize voluntary service and advance the establishment and improvement of China's market economic structure -- after the representative of the United States asked which of its projects had been funded by the Government of China and how it could remain independent while accepting such funding;

Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action -- an international organization headquartered in India, which empowers women to articulate, demand and access human rights by enhancing women’s leadership and focusing on issues of sexuality, sexual and reproductive rights, violence against women, human rights and social justice –- after Pakistan’s representative requested a list of its representatives and their offices in South-East Asia.  China’s representative asked the NGO to adhere to proper United Nations terminology for Taiwan, while Egypt’s representative pointed out that the terms “sexual and reproductive rights” were not defined or agreed as United Nations terminology.  Qatar’s representative asked what was meant by the organization’s objective to enhance women leadership by increasing women’s sexuality;

Eastern Sudan Women Development Organization -- a national organization active in population development, capacity-building, training in conflict-resolution and peacebuilding, and promotion of the Millennium Development Goals, especially those related to women and children -- because Sudan’s representative noted that it had not answered all questions;

Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism Foundation -- an international organization with headquarters in Thailand, which seeks to provide a platform and framework for discussing how tourism impacts vulnerable communities in the developing world and beyond, and how it interrelates with development, human rights, justice, gender, law, ecology and culture -- because the representatives of China and India asked about the nature of the organization and whether it carried out commercial activities.  India’s representative also asked where in India it had been registered and about its activities in India, Europe and the United States.  Egypt’s representative wanted to know whether there were any membership restrictions based on religion;

Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights -- a Palestinian national organization whose aim is to provide a secure and long-lasting foundation for the enjoyment of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory -– after Israel’s representative asked which local authorities it had contact with, whether it was a company or an NGO, and how it could maintain its independence from Governments since it received most of its funding from governmental sources.  The representative of the United States asked which specific projects the group would undertake with its current surplus of $500,000.  However, the representatives of Egypt, Qatar, Pakistan and Cuba, in addition to the Observer for Palestine, expressed support for granting the NGO consultative status.

Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan -- a national organization carrying out activities in the fields of culture and arts, education, science, sports, social development, women and youth development -- as delegates had not yet received answers to their questions;

Foundation for Human Horizon -- an international organization headquartered in India, which seeks to support volunteer-based, honest and experienced non-governmental organizations in serving critical needs in education, health care, and welfare, regardless of religion or race -- as Pakistan’s representative asked about its membership and “peer system” with other NGOs;

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan -- a national organization committed to spreading awareness of human rights as defined in international instruments, formulating proposals for legislation and policy changes aimed at strengthening human rights in Pakistan, and advocating the country’s active participation in the United Nations human rights system -- when India’s representative requested more details on the organization’s activities and contacts;

Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress Church of Salvation –- an organization aiming to establish dialogue with, and lobby, world Governments and organizations for freedom, redemption, international repatriation and reparation for the poor and have-nots living in the Western diaspora as a result of slavery and the slave trade -- as Ethiopia’s representative asked about its status and activities in relation to the Government of Ethiopia.  Egypt’s representative asked about the organization’s registrations in Ethiopia and Ghana, its assets, finances, tithing and other practices, among other things;

Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society -- an national organization in Iran that strives to develop and provide practical strategies for dealing with social problems associated with child felons, runaways, gamins and child labourers, as well as deprived and poor families and women who are heads of their households, in addition to supporting victims of flooding, famine and earthquakes all over the world -- as Burundi’s representative asked what the NGO’s propagation of the teachings and practices of the Prophet entailed and how they could propagate them outside Iran.  The representative of the United States wished to know what relationship it had with the Sharif University of Technology, which was listed as its address;

Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North-East Zone -- a national organization seeking to develop, strengthen and ensure the unity and solidarity of the institutions of all indigenous and tribal peoples in India without interfering with their autonomy -- after China’s representative noted the incorrect use of terminology for Taiwan on the organization’s website;

Indira Gandhi National Foundation -- an international organization based in India, working for the betterment of underprivileged women and the rural poor -- when Egypt's representative asked about its registration;

Indo-European Chamber of Commerce and Industry -- an international organization in India striving to achieve economic development in the country’s less developed regions by fostering trade relations with European countries -- when Burundi’s representative asked why it carried the term “Indo-European” in its name;

International Ecological Safety Cooperative Organization -- an international body based in Hong Kong, which aims to maintain ecological safety, protect the environment, address ecological crises and strive for environmental globalization -– after China’s representative raised a query about its finances, and Cuba’s representative asked what impact its future projects could have on the Council’ work;

Isfahan Minority Rights and Development -- a national organization in Somalia striving to improve the country’s human rights situation -- as Pakistan’s representative asked whether it also carried out activities in Iran, and India’s representative raised questions about its finances and status as a regional or national organization.  Egypt’s representative asked how the NGO could carry out its activities in Somalia, given the security situation, in addition to requesting proof of its registration and information on the nationalities of the members of its executive body;

Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture -- a national organization in Lebanon, which focuses on documenting the activities of health, psychological and physical treatment centres; social, vocational and educational rehabilitation centres; and the establishment of such centres -- as Israel’s representative sought clarification regarding its projects and activities in the past few years other than ongoing medical, social and psychological assistance.  The representative of the United States asked what affiliations it had with other organizations, while the representatives of Pakistan and India requested more details about its mission statement and partnerships;

Krityanand UNESCO Club Jamshedpur -- an India-based national organization working to popularize the aims and purpose of the United Nations system, and to promote international understanding, peace and tolerance through education, science, culture and mass communication -- after the representatives of Pakistan and India asked about its activities and its contributions to the work of the Council;

Palpung Munishasan Dharmachakra Sangh -- an international organization based in India, which is dedicated to the welfare of others regardless of sect, caste, religion, race, gender or nationality -- as China’s representative asked for further adjustments regarding the correct use of appropriate United Nations terminology and India’s representative raised questions about its registration;

Programme on Women’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights -- an international organization based in India, which promotes women’s human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights -- after Pakistan’s representative sought information on its activities and affiliations in South Asia, and India’s representative asked about its registration;

Sœurs Unies a l’Œuvre -- a national organization based in Benin, which works for the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights through civic and sex education for women and girls -- because delegates had not received answers to their questions;

UNESCO Association, Guwahati -- a national organization based in India, which seeks to promote knowledge and create awareness of the ideals of United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) -- as Pakistan’s representative asked whether it was a member of the Confederation of UNESCO Clubs and requested more details about its activities;

Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association -- an international organization based in the United States, which is committed to working to relieve various forms of physical, emotional and spiritual human suffering and to support programmes that protect the natural environment -- after China’s representative said she was awaiting instructions from her capital;

During the Committee’s traditional hour of dialogue with NGOs, a representative of Dones per la Libertad y Democracia -- a Spain-based national organization seeking to promote women’s rights and their participation in all areas of society while defending women’s human rights worldwide –- was asked about its relationship with the International Network for Free Women.  She clarified her position as founding member of the current NGO and her activities as President of the International Network for Free Women, which already had consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, saying she would soon leave the latter position.

Answering other questions, she explained the organization’s member structure and finances.  It was not limited to religion in particular, but had very broad aims, and wished to participate in meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women and on the Millennium Development Goals.  It provided information on women’s issues to many civil society actors.  It was not involved in any profit-making activity, and its finances were administered in a transparent manner.  It already provided assistance to the United Nations and the European Parliament.

The Committee postponed further consideration of the NGO’s application pending written answers to representatives’ questions.

Also answering questions, a representative of the Great Tao Foundation of America –- a national organization in the United States that disseminates ethical principles of Tao to improve the lives of individuals and promote harmony and peace on the family, community, national and international levels –- said the Los Angeles-based NGO was devoted to United Nations objectives and wished particularly to reach disadvantaged populations.

Explaining that Tao meant “the way” in Chinese, he said that when peace was within one, harmony in the nation and peace in the world were possible.  The best form of government was no government, but that did not mean that government should be replaced.  Stressing that the foundation had no religion to promote, he said it had been up to advocate for the alleviation of poverty and suffering.  It had collected $1 million over the last several years and had supported the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with almost $300,000 for relief in Haiti.

In response to other questions, he said the NGO was registered in California as a religious organization because two affiliated bodies did religious work.  Its main objective was to teach young people.  Its board members were from Asia and the United States and belonged to various religions.  The Foundation was not currently involved in any humanitarian activities, but volunteers travelled to humanitarian hotspots.  The Foundation was also applying for consultative status with UNESCO.  He assured China’s representative that the Foundation would correct its documentation to reflect correct United Nations terminology.

Further consideration was postponed pending written answers.

The observer for Iraq, taking up his complaint lodged yesterday regarding the NGO General Federation of Iraqi Women (see Press Release ECOSOC/6404), reiterated that the organization had no office or activities in the country, and was not registered there.  Having been a political organization related to the Ba’ath party, it was now, from outside Iraq, glorifying the previous regime and encouraging “resistance” by terrorist groups.

He said the NGO’s Chair had delivered a statement on its website to mark the third anniversary of Saddam Hussein’s execution, glorifying the late dictator and calling for support for terrorist acts against the Iraqi people.  Noting that the organization had been granted consultative status in 1999, with the support of the former regime, he reiterated his request that the Committee withdraw its consultative status.

Dominica’s representative, acknowledging that Iraq now had a new law on non-governmental organizations and that a number of groups had been decertified, nevertheless asked Iraq’s representative whether the organization in question could reapply for certification, even if it had worked under the old regime.  The issue was a grey area for the Committee, he said, noting that, in countries around the world which had a framework in which civil society could flourish, Governments had to be careful about deciding who could participate.

Egypt’s representative, while agreeing with the thrust of the argument by Dominica’s delegate, said the situation was different because the former Iraqi regime had made the NGO appear to be a civil society organization and had imposed it on the United Nations.  The current Iraqi Government had a law that dismantled all entities formerly belonging to the Ba’ath party as well as a law on NGOs in the country.  The group in question had not attempted to register with the appropriate authorities and continued to launch campaigns basically promoting the old regime and calling for the destabilization of the current Government.  Created as a political body, it now had no legality in Iraq.

The Committee decided it would consider the matter further on Friday, 29 January.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 27 January, to continue its consideration of new applications for consultative status.

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For information media • not an official record