Committee on NGOs                                          

27^th & 28^th Meetings (AM & PM)                               

Committee on NGOs Recommends 7 Groups for Consultative Status,

 

Postpones Consideration of 32 Applications, Closes 3 Others

 

Suspending 77 Entities for Reporting Failures, It also Reinstates 16

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) today recommended sevenentities for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, postponed its consideration of 32 applications, and closed three others.

It also suspended 77 organizations which failed to complete reporting requirements, and one more on the basis of a written complaint by the delegation of Turkey.  In addition, the Committee recommended the reinstatement of 16 organizations suspended for non-reporting, given their timely submission of quadrennial reports, and took note of the dissolution of seven organizations which had previously been granted special status.

The Committee recommends general, special or roster status, 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 and circulate statements, while those with general status can, in addition, address meetings and propose agenda items.  Roster-status NGOs can only attend meetings.

The Committee recommended special consultative status for the following NGOs:

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, an international organization seeking to defend people’s basic rights to housing;

Muslim Aid Australia, a national organization which undertakes overseas aid work;

Secure World Foundation, a United States-based international organization dedicated to the long-term sustainability of outer space and protecting the Earth;

Wildlife Conservation Society, a national organization in the United States that aims to save wildlife and wild places worldwide;

World Granny, a national organization in the Netherlands which seeks to improve the quality of life for older people and their families in the developing world; and

The Pew Charitable Trusts, an international organization based in the United States, which seeks to serve the public interest by providing information, advancing policy solutions and supporting civic life.

While the representatives of Turkey and Egypt recommended consultative status for the organization, Egypt’s delegate stressed that it should be granted under the name “Pew Environment Group” — a department of the Trust — in light of a clarification to the effect that only the Pew Environment Group was applying for status.

The Committee also recommended special status for the American Cancer Society, a national organization in the United States dedicated to saving lives and ending suffering from cancer.

In response to a question by the United Kingdom delegate, the organization’s representative said that a large percentage of its volunteers were cancer survivors, and a good deal of its services in the United States related both to survivors and prevention.  The Society had established an international department about 15 years ago to focus on reducing tobacco use, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, in addition to programmes for community outreach and patient services, particularly in Latin America.

To boost awareness of cancer issues, the Society had held media outreach events in India, South Africa, Argentina and Brazil, she said.  After 95 years, it had a wealth of experience and connections, particularly to civil society and health ministries.  As for its work relating to the Economic and Social Council, she underlined that the Society saw cancer not just as a health issue but also a development one, particularly in the context of the Millennium Development Goals.

Cuba’s representative asked about the Society’s work with developing countries in technology transfer, participation in clinical trials, the training of doctors and scientists and other areas, while India’s delegate requested more information about its tobacco-related activities.

The representative said that the Society’s experience in improving state-level anti-cancer plans in the United States had helped its work with several Latin American countries to create and improve national plans.  The power of the American Cancer Society was used to convene people from many sectors in that regard, she said.  As for access to technology, she cited an advocacy initiative aimed at making the vaccine for cervical cancer more available, as well as similar efforts for other cancer medications.  There was no work going on at the moment on patent use and doctors’ training, she added.

Regarding tobacco control, she said the Society had just accepted a $7 million dollar grant for the sub-Saharan Africa programme, which used as a guide and in its activities on tobacco the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.  It also had programmes addressing chewing tobacco, which was a problem in India.

Following that exchange, the representatives of Peru, Colombia, Cuba, India, Sudan and the United Kingdom said they were ready to recommend consultative status, with Cuba requesting an expansion of programmes in Latin America and India requesting a written version of the representative’s responses.

Pending receipt of responses to delegates’ questions, the Committee postponed its consideration of applications submitted by:

International Federation of Liberal Youth — a group headquartered in Belgium, which serves as an umbrella organization for liberal and student youth bodies worldwide, and provides a forum for cooperation, exchange of resources and ideas, and intercultural learning — after Cuba’s representative requested more information on its cooperative activities;

International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Inc. — an organization in the United States working to give people a voice in the way in which they were governed — after Cuba requested updated lists of countries in which it had offices and conducted activities.  Pakistan’s delegate sought further explanation of its projects in Asia;

International Prison Chaplains' Association — a Sweden-based organization which promotes human rights, especially freedom of religion, for prisoners all over the world — after Cuba requested additional information on its independence;

International Reading Association — a United States-based organization dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy for all — after Cuba asked about its relationships with similar groups;

International Refugee Rights Initiative — a United States-based organization dedicated to addressing human rights issues linking conflict and displacement in Africa, and to enhancing protection for vulnerable populations — after China asked about its finances and Egypt requested its registration forms;

International Solidarity and Human Rights Institute — an organization based in the United States which promotes human rights based on natural law principles — after China asked about its participation in United Nations human rights organs;

Kosmos Associates, Inc. — a United States-based international organization seeking to build a sustainable global civilization through the raising of consciousness, dialogue among civilizations and United Nations reform — after Egypt’s representative reiterated that it must clarify its relationship with a deceased organization, known as CPSC, and that it must assure the Committee that it was not misleading its members;

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund — a national organization in the United States and the educational arm of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, which strives to build the public understanding needed to build social and economic justice — after Egypt sought clarification of its stance towards international civil rights instruments;

Mundo Sin Guerras — an international organization based in Spain which aims to promote ideas and actions that could lead to the elimination of war — after China’s representative asked about a march mentioned in its application, and Cuba’s delegate requested details of its national teams;

Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights — a United States-based international organization comprising family members of victims of homicide, State-sanctioned execution, extra-judicial assassinations, and “disappearances”, who opposed the death penalty in all cases — after China’s representative reiterated that the organization use correct United Nations geographical terminology, and requested more information on its activities in China;

National Association of Home Builders of the United States — an organization working to enhance the climate for housing and the building industry — as Egypt’s representative requested more information about its members;

The Peacebuilders — a national organization based in Japan which works with people in conflict-affected countries struggling to build a lasting, just peace — after China’s representative requested more information on details in the group’s application, and Cuba’s delegate asked about its perspective on the Peacebuilding Commission;

Restoration World Outreach Ministries — an international organization based in the United States which seeks to restore order to the “Body of Christ and to the Nations through the restoration of the Apostolic Doctrine, Prophetic Vision and the Five Fold Ministry to the Church”, by finding solutions to economic and social issues of global society and ultimately “winning souls for Christ” — after Egypt asked the group to explain statements in its application and elaborate on both its mission statement and planned contributions to the Council;

Scholars at Risk Network — a United States-based international organization dedicated to defending threatened scholars and scholarly communities worldwide — after China requested additional details on its sources of information.  Egypt sought an explanation of statements and information on its assistance activities, while Cuba asked whether it had any relationship with Palestinian students or students in other occupied territories;

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States — a national organization advocating for the universal right to accurate information, comprehensive education about sexuality and sexual health services — after Egypt’s delegate asked several questions about terms used, statements made, activities and finances.  Qatar’s representative requested more information on programmes encouraging abstinence;

Students for Sensible Drug Policy — a United States-based international organization providing education on the harm caused by the “war on drugs” and working to involve youth in the political process — after Egypt’s representative requested further elaboration on several questions;

Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression — a France-based national organization seeking to spread awareness of freedom of expression inside Syrian society through cooperation with governmental associations and civil society organizations — as Egypt’s delegate requested a list of minorities whose rights it promoted, and more details of all projects carried out in Arab States.  The representatives of Syria and Sudan asked the organization to elaborate on its views on freedom of expression, while Qatar’s delegate asked it to resubmit its response to a question about the registration of its offices;

United Kingdom Association for the United Nations Development Fund for Women — a national organization seeking to further charitable work by UNIFEM, with particular reference to developing countries — after India requested a copy of its agreement with the Fund and a clarification as to whether it conducted activities in the United Kingdom on behalf of UNIFEM;

WITNESS — a United States-based international organization which uses video and online technologies to open the world’s eyes to human rights violations — after China’s delegate requested that it use correct United Nations geographical terminology on its website and provide additional information on its previous activities in China;

Widows for Peace Through Democracy — an international organization headquartered in the United Kingdom which strives to promote the status of widows in developing countries, particularly in conflict-affected and HIV/AIDS-afflicted countries — after Turkey requested more information on its visits to countries in conflict and those in post-conflict situations;

World Buddhist Supreme Tathagata Followers Peace Foundation — an international organization based in the Republic of Korea, providing welfare facilities for the handicapped and aged — after China sought clarification regarding its relationship with another organization, and information on the temples it managed in China.  Egypt requested information on its planned and implemented non-religious activities, asking it also to explain the role of its members in decision-making, as well as any plans to seek status with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);

World Igbo Congress — a national organization based in the United States seeking to diversify and strengthen the economic base of Igboland (south-eastern Nigeria) — after Burundi requested more information about investments.  Egypt asked several questions about terminology, membership in Caribbean States, countries in which it operated, and its activities.  China requested that it correct errors in geographical terminology;

e8 — a Canada-based international organization aiming to play an active role in global electricity issues and to promote sustainable development worldwide — after Egypt asked why it was applying when its sister organization, e7 Sustainable Development Fund, already enjoyed consultative status, and added several questions about its activities and membership;

Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) — a national organization striving for a democratic system, promoting the rule of law and due process, and encouraging respect for human rights in Ethiopia — after the observer for that country said the group had not completed the national registration process.  Sudan’s representative concurred and Egypt’s representative recommended the Committee continue postponing its consideration;

Assyrian Academic Society — a United States-based international organization which aims to ensure a robust understanding and awareness of the Assyrian people, their history and present conditions in a variety of forums — after Cuba asked why it had not explained how it provided assistance related to the conflict in Iraq, and Sudan asked about its relations with the Association for World Education; and

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission — a United States-headquartered organization which strives to secure the full enjoyment of human rights for all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or expression, and/or HIV status.

At the outset of a lively debate, the delegation of the United States called upon the Committee to take immediate action since the organization had responded to numerous rounds of questioning since it had first submitted its application in 2008.  Responding on behalf of African States, Egypt’s delegation stressed the importance of allowing the organization time to answer further questions, and called for a no-action motion on the request by the United States.

Supporting the proposed motion were the representatives of Qatar and Pakistan, while those of the United Kingdom and Romania opposed it.

The Committee then took a vote on the motion, which was ultimately carried by 10 votes in favour, 6 against with 2 abstentions.

Following the vote, delegates of the United States, United Kingdom, Colombia, Chile and Romania, as well as observers for Spain (on behalf of the European Union), Australia (on behalf of CANZ — Canada, Australia, New Zealand) and Switzerland made statements against the decision to carry the motion.  The United Kingdom said the motion reflected an “act of simple discrimination”, which was merely a way of putting off a decision on a controversial subject, adding that it reinforced the view that the Committee could not properly carry out its work.

In addition, the observer for Spain — recalling that the organization had submitted its application three years ago, responded to more than 44 additional questions, and appeared twice before the Committee — stressed that discrimination in any form, including that based on sexual orientation and gender identity, ran counter to the spirit of general debate within the United Nations.

Qatar’s representative, supported by his Egyptian counterpart, noted that several delegations had questions that must be answered, and by taking immediate action, the Committee would deprive the NGO of an opportunity to persuade delegations that its aims and objectives were indeed in accordance with resolution 1996/31.  He clarified that those in favour of the no-action motion had not requested the closure of the application but rather, being “merciful”, a postponement of any action.

Responding to statements in opposition to the motion, Egypt expressed support for the principle of non-discrimination, yet stressed that dialogue with NGOs should continue until all delegations were satisfied.  The United States emphasized the need for efficiency and respect for NGOs, saying that some delegations were hindering the Committee’s smooth functioning, to which Egypt objected on a point of order.

Pending responses to questions, the Committee postponed further consideration of applications submitted by:

Kashmiri American Council — a national organization in the United States striving for international education and promotion of the principles of human rights and human dignity, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and self-determination and fundamental freedoms for all, irrespective of racial, religious, linguistic or sexual preferences;

NAFSA:  Association of International Educators — a national organization in the United States providing training and professional development opportunities for international educators;

National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education — a national organization in the United States which seeks to create and administer educational and youth programmes, and to advocate for the rights of children, women and the disadvantaged;

Orphans International Worldwide — a United States-based organization helping orphaned or abandoned children to grow up into solid citizens of the world; and

Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania — an international NGO promoting peacebuilding and constructive conflict transformation.

The Committee closed the applications of:

International Gas Union — a Norway-based organization promoting the technical and economic progress of the global gas industry — after Egypt’s delegate said it did not meet the requirements set out in resolution 1996/31 and proposed the application’s closure;

Proyecto Paz y Amor — a United States-based international organization providing nutrition and education to make children healthier and give them hope for a better community — after the representatives of Peru and Cuba expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of its responses to questions about its objectives and planned contributions to the Council.  Cuba suggested that the application be closed since it did not meet many requirements; and

Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress Church of Salvation — a Jamaica-based international organization lobbying for the freedom, redemption, and international repatriation of the impoverished community throughout the Western diaspora — after the observer for Ethiopia said the organization had no connection with his country.  The representatives of China, Egypt and Sudan noted that the NGO called the entire continent “Africa Ethiopia”, contrary to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

In the afternoon, the Committee decided by consensus to suspend the consultative status of the Centre Europe-Tiers/Third Wold Centre (CETIM) for two years.  It requested the NGO to submit a letter before the end of its suspension period confirming that it would conform at all times to the principles governing its consultative relationship with the Economic and Social Council, as stipulated in paragraph 55 of resolution 1996/31.

The representative of the United States said his delegation had joined the consensus after conferring with the delegation of Turkey, which had reiterated its support of free speech and opposition to supporting terrorism.  However, the observer for Switzerland said the NGO organization was peacefully exercising its right to free expression and therefore did not deserve suspension.

Earlier in the day, the Committee noted that 16 out of 94 NGOs suspended in 2009 for non-reporting had submitted quadrennial reports within the time required, and therefore recommended their reinstatement (see document E/C.2/2010/CRP.14 for a list of those organizations).  It also took note that 77 of those bodies had still not fulfilled their reporting requirements, and recommended that the Council withdraw their consultative status and immediately suspend them for one year.

Pointing out that NGO number 56 on list 14 had submitted a report in the interim, the Secretary said 77 organizations were recommended for suspension, rather than the 78 listed.

The Committee then noted that the following organizations, all of which had been granted special consultative status, had terminated their activities or ceased to exist:  Global Education Associates; World Information Clearing Centre; Feminists for the Life of America; International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples; Girls Incorporated; Children Australia, Inc.; and National Environmental Trust.

Continuing the review of its working procedures, the Committee then took up a conference room paper titled “Measures to improve the quadrennial reporting procedures:  Follow-up to ECOSOC resolution 2008/4” (document E/C.2/2010/CRP.9).  Discussing the agenda of the relevant informal working group, the Committee accepted a proposal by Burundi’s representative that it examine the feasibility of establishing a mechanism to facilitate communication between the Committee and organizations that had already acquired status.  The representatives of Egypt and the United Kingdom spoke in support of the proposal.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 4 June, to consider new applications and procedural matters, and conclude its resumed session.

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For information media • not an official record