Committee on NGOs                                          

11^th & 12^th Meetings (AM & PM)                               

Committee on NGOs Recommends 1 Group for Consultative Status, Closes 9

Applications While Postponing Consideration of 25 Others

 

It also Takes Note of 170 Quadrennial Reports

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) today recommended one entity for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, postponed its consideration of 25 applications and closed nine without prejudice.

Taking note of 170 quadrennial reports, while postponing its consideration of 15 others, the 19-member Committee also deferred one application until its next session.

General, special or roster status is granted 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 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and circulate statements, while those with general status can, in addition, address meetings and propose agenda items.  Roster-status NGOs can only attend meetings.  Organizations with general and special status must also submit a report every four years.

The Committee recommended special consultative status for the following NGO:

Presse Embleme Campagne, a Switzerland-based international organization seeking to improve access to information and protection for journalists around the world, particularly in areas of armed conflict and internal violence.

The Committee postponed its consideration of applications submitted by the following groups:

Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology -- a national organization in the United States striving to enhance human well-being and performance in organizational and work settings by promoting the science, practice and teaching of industrial-organizational psychology –- after additional questioning by Egypt's representative;

Students for Sensible Drug Policy –- a United States-based international organization committed to providing education on the harm caused by the war on drugs, and to promoting an open, honest, and rational discussion of alternative solutions to drug problems in the United States –- after additional questioning by China’s representative, and because of its repeated failure to respond to delegates’ questions;

Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression -- a national organization seeking to spread the culture and awareness of freedom of opinion and expression, religion and tolerance in Syrian society by cooperating with governmental associations and civil society organizations –- as representatives requested more time to study its application;

WITNESS -- an international organization based in the United States which uses video and online technologies to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations –- following additional questioning by China’s representative;

Wildlife Conservation Society -- a national organization in the United States which aims to address, among other things, dependence on declining natural resources, which can result in a poverty trap for rural families -- after additional questioning by the representatives of China and Egypt;

World Buddhist Supreme Tathagata Followers Peace Foundation -- an international organization based in the Republic of Korea which seeks to work with volunteers in the areas of health and welfare, backed with support from funds raised by Buddhist followers in that country -– after questioning by the representatives of China and Egypt;

World Granny -- a national organization in the Netherlands, which aims to improve the quality of life for older people and their families and communities in the developing world and to raise awareness about the situation of the older people among the public, institutions and governments –- as Egypt's representative noted the NGO had not responded to questions asked;

World Igbo Congress -- a national organization in the United States which strives to unify Igbo people everywhere while promoting, protecting and advancing Igbo culture and civilization –- following additional questioning by the representatives of China, Egypt and Burundi;

Lesbenorganisation Schweiz -- a national organization in Switzerland advocating for equality of the lesbian lifestyle in society and opposing all forms of discrimination –- as Egypt's representative noted that a legal opinion from the Office of Legal Affairs had been requested and the Secretariat had to look into the matter;

NAFSA: Association of International Educators -- a national organization in the United States working to advance international education and exchange as well as global workforce development –- after additional questioning by China’s representative and because it had not responded to delegates’ questions;

National Association of Friendship Centres -- a national organization in Canada aiming to improve the quality of life for aboriginal peoples in urban settings by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access to, and participation in, Canadian society –- following additional questioning by Egypt's representative;

National Association of Home Builders of the United States -- a national organization advocating the provision and expansion of opportunities for all consumers to have safe, decent and affordable housing –- after additional questioning by Egypt’s representative;

Orphans International Worldwide -- an international organization headquartered in the United States and seeking to help orphaned or abandoned children grow into solid citizens of the world –- following additional questioning by the representatives of Egypt, India and the United States.  Dominica’s delegate remarked that the NGO did not meet the criteria for consultative status since it had neither a bank account nor a budget, and was not legally registered;

Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania -- an international organization aiming to promote peacebuilding and constructive conflict transformation, as well as the prevention of all forms of violence in Romania and internationally level –- after additional questioning by China’s representative;

The Peacebuilders –- a Japan-based international organization aiming to make modest contributions in peacebuilding by working with people in conflict-affected countries struggling to build a lasting and just peace –- after additional questioning by China’s representative;

Abaawa Hagar Saah Memorial Foundation -- a national NGO in Ghana seeking, among other things, to help prevent malaria and reduce tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS infections while providing training in income-generating activities for street children and women –- after questioning Egypt’s representative;

Africa Safe Water Foundation -- a national organization in Nigeria aiming to develop, manage and increase access to water and sanitation; undertake basic hygiene and water education; and contribute to development projects –- following questioning by Egypt’s representative;

Association pour la Lutte contre le Travail des Enfants au Niger -- a national NGO aiming to abolish child labour –- after questioning by Egypt’s representative;

and Aube Nouvelle pour la Femme et le Développement -- a national organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo aiming to establish a social and legal environment conducive to the advancement of women –- following additional questioning by Burundi’s representative.

During the Committee’s dialogue with NGOs, the President of International Human Rights Observer (IHRO) Pakistan –- a national organization educating and creating mass awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- said the NGO focused on education, advocacy and media.  Its successes included setting up a National Human Rights Commission, a National Institute of Human Rights for research and teaching, and a national Human Rights University.  The University had been highly welcomed by the Government of Pakistan and civil society, he said, adding that the organization also worked to promote women’s and children’s rights. 

In 2009, it had launched a national anti-terrorism movement, he recalled, noting that it promoted the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and published books on human rights.  On the NGO’s suggestion, the Government of Pakistan had set up an independent human rights ministry.  The organization had previously answered some of the questions posed this afternoon about contributions it had previously received, he said, asking that the Committee consider and approve its application as soon as possible.

A representative of the International Confederation of the Society of St Vincent de Paul said the organization was working on disaster response in Haiti and would be involved in long-term rebuilding there.  In New York, the Society helped people through food pantries and summer camps for children.  It incorporated the Millennium Development Goals into its activities and programmes, and each of its members was an independent consul-general.  The body applying for status today was a newly reorganized international confederation, a democratically elected body.  Its 16 member countries formed a board of directors.  To belong to a national council of the international confederation, each member body must be registered in its own country.

Egypt’s representative requested the Secretariat to verify with relevant United Nations departments why the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had withdrawn the Society’s consultative status with the agency.

A representative of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said the organization paid great deference to the sovereignty of States, but also believed they had obligations under various United Nations covenants and other instruments to respect, protect and promote human rights for all people.  While the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights were not binding under international law, they had been launched at the United Nations, interpreted the Organization’s principles and documents, and affirmed existing international human rights standards as articulated in many United Nations documents.

He said many of the terms used in the NGO’s documents, such as “sexual orientation”, “sexual identity” and “gender expression” were included in many United Nations documents, including those of the General Assembly, Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  Its previous written responses included a 200-page document of the International Commission of Jurists detailing the use of that terminology in United Nations documents.  The NGO worked with and issued reports to international treaty bodies for use in their deliberations.  Although based in New York, it had offices and staff around the world.  It respected international law and the domestic laws of the various countries in which it worked.

A representative of World Igbo Congress said the group worked to improve rural sustainable development at the grassroots level in south-eastern Nigeria, providing free medical care to some rural communities there.  It held an annual youth convention in New York.  Historically, many Haitians were of Igbo origin and the NGO was currently helping people affected by the recent earthquake.  The NGO had partnerships with organizations in other African countries that helped people in Nigeria and Cameroon.  In general, it aimed to attract and help people of Igbo origin worldwide.  It had no affiliation with separatist groups as it believed in the unity of Nigeria.

Because the Committee had not received answers from a number of NGOs, despite three reminders, it decided to close, without prejudice, applications submitted by:  Better Life Programme for the African (Rural) Woman; LESTIME (even though the observer delegation of Switzerland had requested more time); Lesbenorganization Schweiz; PeaceJam Foundation; Sub-Priorato del Piemonte dell’Ordine di San Fortunato unlos; Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality; Opportunity International; and Yun Lin Temple.

The Committee also decided to send a final reminder to Muslim Aid Australia and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, requesting that they submit answers to delegates’ questions before the start of the next regular session in May.

The Committee took note of most of the quadrennial reports contained in documents E/C.2/2010/2 and E/C.2/2020/2/Add.1 through Add.29 (see annex).

As for a report from the American Association of Jurists (2004-2007) (document E/C.2/2010/2), China’s representative asked the NGO to submit the speech it had given during the fifty-first session of the Commission on the Status of Women entitled “Legal protection of children and spouses in Taiwan”.

Regarding a report of the Society for Threatened Peoples (2005-2008) (document E/C.2/2010/2 Add.12), China’s representative asked the organization to submit statements made during the recent sessions of the Human Rights Council.

With respect to a report of Human Rights Watch (2005-2008) Cuba’s representative asked whether the group carried out research and produced publications in any other than the 18 countries mentioned, and how it obtained its information.  Since the report focused on civil and political rights, she asked whether it did not consider economic, social and cultural rights important.  Sudan’s representative said he would submit written questions.

Turning to quadrennial reports deferred from previous sessions, Cuba’s representative asked whether CIVICUS-World Alliance for Citizen Participation, which had submitted its report during the period 2004-2007, could submit a list of its members in the Americas.

Regarding the deferred reports of the Centrist Democratic International (1994-1997) and (2002-2005), Cuba’s representative noted that it had submitted its second report before it had answered questions about its first report, stressing that the second one could not be considered before the Committee had taken note of the first.  The Committee decided to send the NGO a reminder.

On the deferred report of Freedom House (2003-2006), China’s representative asked the NGO to submit any statements or reports it had presented to the fifty-ninth through sixty-first sessions of the Commission on Human Rights.  Cuba’s representative noted that it had not responded to some questions, and requested financial reports for the period covered by its report.  The Committee decided to send the NGO a reminder.

As for the deferred report of Amnesty International (2004-2007), Sudan’s representative requested more information about its office in Senegal, and asked which of its reports on Sudan covering 2008 and 2009 differed from or even contradicted United Nations reports.  Cuba’s representative requested more information about its work in industrialized countries.

Regarding the deferred report of the Ukrainian World Congress (2003-2006), Cuba’s representative noted that it was devoted entirely to activities relating to the genocide of the Ukrainian people, suggesting that the group’s activities were not in line with the provisions of ECOSOC resolution 1996/31.  He requested that the NGO send a report on activities it had carried out within the framework of the resolution, and asked about its position on fascist criminals.

The Committee would send the following NGOs reminders that they still had not answered questions about their quadrennial reports:  Human Rights Internet (2003-2006); International Network of Liberal Women (2003-2006); International Press Institute (2001-2004); National Council of Women of Thailand (2000-2003); Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty (2003-2006); and International Federation of Human Rights League (2004-2007).

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 2 February, to continue its consideration of new and deferred applications.

ANNEX

The Committee took note of the quadrennial reports submitted by following NGOs:  Association pour la collaboration globale (2005-2008); Centro de Estudio y Formacion Integral de la Mujer (2005-2008); Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (2005-2008); Consortium for Street Children (2005-2008); Feminist Club (2005–2008); Fundacion Intervida (2005-2008); Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council of North and South America (2005-2008); International Coalition (2005-2008); International Association of Judges (2005-2008); International Federation for Home Economics (2005-2008); International Federation of Non-governmental Organizations for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse (2005-2008); International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences (2005-2008); and Kenya Tuitakayo: Citizens Coalition for Constitutional Change (2005-2008).

Also noted were the reports submitted by:  National Council of Women of Malta (2005-2008); Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development (2005-2008); Synergos Institute, Inc. (2005-2008); Tamana Association (2005-2008); All India Movement for Seva (2005-2008); Bar Association (2005-2008); Fazaldad Human Rights Institute (2005-2008); Human Rights Advocates Inc. (2005-2008); Indigenous World Association (2005-2008); Reform International (2005-2008); Asociacion de Antiguas Alumnas del Colegio Madres Irlandesas (2005-2008); Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (2005-2008); International Road Transport Union (2005-2008); MiRA Resource Center for Black Immigrant and Refugee Women (2005-2008); Susila Dharma International Association (2005-2008).

The Committee also took note of the reports submitted by:  Unión de Asociaciones Familiares (2005-2008); Albert Schweitzer Institute (2005-2008); America Mid-East Educational and Training Services, Inc (2005-2008); Arab Organization for Human Rights (2005-2008); Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (2005-2008); Asian Federation of Laryngectomees Association (2005-2008); Association for the Study of the World Refugee Problem (2005-2008); World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (2005-2008); COBASE-Cooperativa Tecnico Scientifica di Base (2005-2008); Center for Reproductive Rights, Inc. (2005-2008); Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (2005-2008); Citizens for Decent Housing (2005-2008); Cultural Survival (2005-2008).

Also noted were the reports of:  Federation of American Scientists (2005-2008); Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) (2005-2008); Fridtjof Nansen Institute (2005-2008); International Association for Impact Assessment (2005-2008); International Maritime Committee (2005-2008); International Women Bond (2005-2008); Association Culturelle d'Aide a la Promotion Educative et Sociale (2005-2008); Association Mauritanienne pour la santé de la mère et de l'enfant (2005-2008); Centre d'études diplomatiques et stratégiques (2005-2008).

The Committee also took note of quadrennial reports by:  Fondation Surgir (2005-2008); Organisation Mondiale des associations pour l'éducation prénatale (2005-2008); Dhaka Ahsania Mission (2005-2008); Federation of Building and Wood Workers (2005-2008); Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (2005-2008); Pathways to Peace (2005-2008); Peace Child International (2005-2008); Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (2005-2008); Association of the Bar of the City of New York (2005-2008); Foundation for the Refugee Education Trust (2005-2008); Association of Science Parks (2005-2008); Nigerian Institute of Homeopathy (2005-2008); Osservatorio per la Comunicazione Culturale e l'Audiovisivo nel Mediterraneo e nel Mondo (2005-2008); Women's Board Educational Cooperation Society (2005-2008); National Abortion Federation (2005-2008).

Also noted were the reports of:  National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (2005-2008); Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association (2005-2008); People with Disability Australia, Inc. (2005-2008); War Resisters International (2005-2008); Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (2005-2008); Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (2005-2008); Sign of Hope e.V. - Hoffnungszeichen (2005-2008); Corps (2005-2008); Tarumitra (2005-2008); United States Federation for Middle East Peace (2005-2008); Felix Varela Center (2005-2008); Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations (2005-2008); Institute of Cultural Affairs International (2005-2008); International Council of Jewish Women (2005-2008); International Shinto Foundation (ISF) (2005-2008).

The Committee also took note of the reports submitted by:  UNANIMA International (2005-2008); Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (2005-2008); Global Youth Action Network (2005-2008); International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (2005-2008); Watson Institute for International Studies (2005-2008); Women's Federation for World Peace International (2005-2008); International Development Enterprises (India) (2005-2008); International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (2005-2008); Istanbul International Brotherhood and Solidarity Association (2005-2008); Pasumai Thaayagam Foundation (2005-2008); World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (2005-2008); World Russian People’s Council (2005-2008); Adventist Development and Relief Agency (2005-2008); Institute for Policy Studies (2005-2008).

Also noted were the reports of:  Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association (2005-2008); S. M. Sehgal Foundation ( India) (2005-2008); Simply Help, Inc. (2005-2008); Yad Sarah (2005-2008); Aviation sans frontières (2005-2008); Center for Migration Studies of New York (2005-2008); Cercle des dames mourides (2005-2008); Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (2005-2008); Dui Hua Foundation (2005-2008); European AIDS Treatment Group (2005-2008); European Solidarity Towards Equal Participation of People (2005-2008); Forum of Women's NGOs of Kyrgyzstan (2005-2008); Fundacion de Ayuda contra la Drogadiccion (2005-2008); Fundación Mujeres en Igualdad (2005-2008); Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (2005-2008); Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (2005-2008).

The Committee also took note of the reports submitted by:  International Association of Prosecutors (2005-2008); International Council For Caring Communities, Inc. (2005-2008); International Indian Treaty Council (2005-2008); International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (2005–2008); Latin American Federation of Associations of Relatives of Disappeared Detainees (2005-2008); Comité Francais des organisations non gouvernementales pour liaison et l'information des Nations Unies (2005-2008); ICVolunteers (2005-2008); Institut Arabe des Droits de l'Homme (2005-2008); International Organization for the Right to Education and Freedom of Education (OIDEL) (2005-2008); PARTAGE (2005-2008); American Jewish Committee (2005-2008); Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) (2005-2008).

Also noted were the reports of:  International Justice Mission (2005-2008); Mata Amritanandamayi Math (2005-2008); Peace Worldwide (2005-2008); Philippine Human Rights Information Center, Inc. (2005-2008); International Association of Applied Psychology (2005-2008); International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) (2005-2008); Netherlands Association of Women’s Interests, Women’s Work and Equal Citizenship (2005-2008); Sisters of Charity Federation (2005-2008); Society to Support Children Suffering from Cancer (MAHAK) (2005-2008); Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (2005-2008); Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) (2005-2008); Child Foundation (2005-2008); China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (2005-2008); Foundation for International Training (2005-2008).

The Committee also took note of reports by:  Green Cross International (2005-2008); Humanitarian Foundation of Canada (2005-2008); ADALAH-Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (2005-2008); Greek Council for Refugees (2005-2008); Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education (2005-2008); International Academy of Architecture (2005-2008); United for Intercultural Action (2005-2008); Abdul Momen Khan Memorial Foundation (Khan Foundation) (2005-2008); Advocates for Youth (2005-2008); League of Women Voters of the United States (2005-2008); New Zealand Family Planning Association, Inc. (2005-2008).

Also noted were the reports of:  Rodale Institute (2005-2008); Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (2005-2008); European Roma Rights Center (2005–2008); Firooznia Charity Foundation (2005-2008); Organization for International Economic Relations (2005-2008); Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) (2005-2008); Widows Rights International (2005-2008); Women for Women's Human Rights-New Ways (2005-2008); China Family Planning Association (2005-2008); INTERIGHTS, International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights (2005-2008); Jaime Guzman Errazuriz Foundation (2005-2008); Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (2005-2008); Society for Development of Services in Heliopolis (2005-2008).

The Committee also took note of reports submitted by:  Action contre la faim (2005-2008); Agence Internationale pour le Developpement (2005-2008); Enfants du Monde-Droits de l'Homme (2005-2008); Scouts Musulmans Algeriens (2005-2008); Canadian Environmental Network (2005-2008); Family Care International (2005-2008); Latin American and Caribbean Continental Organization of Students (2005-2008); MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society (2005-2008); Native Women's Association of Canada (2005-2008); and Rotary International (2005-2008).

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