Committee on NGOs

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

Committee on NGOs Grants Consultative Status to 17 Civil Society Groups,

 

Approves One Bid for Roster Status, Postpones Consideration of 39 Others

 

During the second day of deliberations at its 2011 session, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) recommended special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council for 17 organizations and roster status for one, while it postponed consideration of 39 other applications pending receipt of additional information from the civil society groups.

The 19-member Committee, created by the Economic and Social Council in 1946, recommends to the Council general, special or roster status, in accordance with such criteria as the civil society applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.  Organizations enjoying general and special status can attend the Council’s meetings 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 today recommended special consultative status for:

National Association for Work Bless, a national organization in the Republic of Korea, which focuses on promoting participation in economic activities by reforming work consciousness and developing working capacity;

Patim, a national NGO in Spain, which specializes in intervention and treatment of drug addictions and other behaviour;

Plan Suomi Säätio, a Finland-based organization, which addresses the causes and mitigates the consequences of child poverty;

RESO-Femmes, an international NGO headquartered in Switzerland, which aims to promote the civic and political participation of Malian women and to bridge the gap between them and decision makers;

Roma Zaedno, a national organization in Bulgaria, which aims to initiate changes in public policies towards the Roma minority, implement actions in defending Roma rights and act as a mediator between the Roma communities and local and central levels of Government to assure adequate and efficient rights-based policies towards Roma;

Türk Kalp Vakfi, an international organization based in Turkey, which cites as its objective the prevention, treatment and education of heart and cardiovascular diseases, and building public awareness.  Belgium’s delegate preferred “roster status”, given the issues the NGO dealt with, but the representatives of Cuba and the United States proposed “special consultative status”, as the organization met the qualifications under that category;

Association Mauritanienne pour la promotion du droit, a national organization in Mauritania, which aims, among other things, to promote human rights and participation in economic, social and cultural development in poor areas; and to combat poverty;

Association femmes soleil d'Haiti, a national NGO in Haiti, which promotes women’s rights with a view to their development;

China Energy Fund Committee, an international NGO based in China which aims to gather talents both at home and abroad, and integrate essential information from all over the world, to conduct research concerning energy development strategy, international energy cooperation, and global energy security, and to contribute substantially to China's sustainable development of energy;

Forum Azzahrae pour la Femme Marocaine, a national organization in Morocco working to, among other things, address women’s rights and development; to contribute to eradicating all forms of discrimination against women; and to spotlight evolutions in the judicial and social domains related to women’s affairs and the family;

Initiative du Millenaire des Femmes Africaines contre la Pauvrete et pour les Droits Humains, a Senegal-based NGO which aims to:  empower impoverished women and youth; build knowledge on the feminization of poverty; and track down poverty elimination resources, among other things;

Kenya Community Development Group, a national organization in Kenya promoting efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals by working with communities and the Government to ensure access by all to good health, fresh water and sanitation, equality distribution in education, environmental protection and justice for the oppressed and disadvantaged;

Kikandwa Rural Communities Development Organization (KIRUCODO), a national NGO in Uganda, which aims to develop human potential for self empowerment in rural communities through day-to-day applied technologies, hands-on learning and research, and promotion of better agricultural methods;

Serve Train Educate People’s Society (STEPS), a national organization in India, which wants to become a “centre of excellence” in the field of health, women’s empowerment, child development, human rights and environment related programmes through innovations particularly for the marginalized by engaging into partnership with national and international agencies, although the representative of Pakistan asked for more information regarding answers received;

Tamil Christian Broadcasting Network, a national organization in India, which, among other work, aims to improve awareness on:  HIV; education; health issues; the importance of the female child; equal rights among men and women; and child education and child labour;

VAAGDHARA, a national organization in India promoting village reconstruction, and which focuses on education, health activities, development of social or legal consciousness and architectural configuration; and

Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia, a national NGO in Australia, which aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and advance their interests and aspirations through a comprehensive range of legal and support services throughout Western Australia.

Roster status was recommended for:

Richbone Initiative Foundation, a national organization in Ghana which focuses on the personal, social, cultural and economic development of all people in Africa through education.

Pending receipt of answers to delegates’ questions, the Committee postponed consideration of the applications of the following non-governmental organizations:

Women Watch Afrika, Inc. — an international organization headquartered in the United States, which aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, and to promote the social and economic development of women and girls — after Burundi’s delegate queried the organization’s legal status.

Asociacion Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia — a national organization in Colombia which aims to expand and promote economic, social and political principles, within a free enterprise system, based upon beliefs that include human dignity, political democracy, social justice, private property and liberty.

The representatives of Peru and Colombia recommended special consultative status, but China’s delegate asked the Committee to hold off on making a recommendation until the NGO made corrections regarding the correct, United Nations-approved geographical names of Taiwan, province of China, and Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Hong Kong, which should not be mentioned together with country names.

Asociación Panameña de Corredores y Promotores de Bienes Raices — a national NGO in Panama, which wants to serve as a liaison between its members and their customers to ensure good business practices, governed by the strictest ethical behaviour, and to encourage investments that would contribute to have better living conditions for Panamas’ citizens — as the Committee believed the groups’ answers to questions asked were not available.

Association of War-Affected Women — a national NGO in Sri Lanka aiming to create a peaceful, prosperous Sri Lanka where all its peoples live with dignity and enjoy equal rights — as Cuba’s delegate asked about Government funding and Venezuela’s and Nicaragua’s delegates asked for more information regarding finances and contribution to the work of the Economic and Social Council.

Baidarie — a national organization in Pakistan which aims, among other things, to promote and protect human rights, especially rights of women and children; to provide credit for poverty alleviation; and to provide preventive, reproductive and curative health care services, especially for women and children — as India’s delegate was not satisfied with the group’s responses to questions, as they were merely a duplication of the application.

Cameroun Terre Nouvelle — a Cameroon-based NGO combating poverty and promoting a culture of peace, non-violence and dialogue among the country’s different cultural and ethnic influences — as Burundi’s delegate asked for examples of some projects carried out in line with its objectives.

Centre for Human Rights — a national organization in South Africa which aims to be a world-class academic institution focusing on research, teaching and advocacy in the field of human rights law in Africa — when Burundi’s delegate asked for information on the organization’s contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and when Sudan’s representative asked whether it was an academic institution or an NGO.  Regarding Burundi’s query, South Africa’s delegate said discussion on wording was “ongoing”.

Childlink Foundation — a national organization in Ghana which wants to empower Ghanaians to realize their full potential - as Burundi’s delegate asked about the NGO’s budget and projects, and the representative of the Russian Federation noted that earlier questions put to the group had not been answered.

Foundation for the Future, a Jordan-based international organization which aims to fulfil commitments made in recent declarations on reform and democracy; mobilize funds from inside and outside the region to assist indigenous initiatives for reform and democracy; and to bring together existing pro-democracy initiatives into a process that links national, regional and international movements for democratization.

Venezuela’s delegate asked for more information on what the NGO’s plans were for distributing some $19 million in funds, and the representative of the Russian Federation asked how the NGO could maintain its independence, given that it was virtually 100 per cent funded by the Jordanian Government.

Fundación Argentina a las Naciones Camino a la Verdad — a national organization in Argentina, which focuses on the defence and dissemination of the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter regarding fundamental rights — when Burundi’s delegate asked what was meant by “social orientation”, and the Russian Federation needed more time to review the application.

Gender Links — a national organization in South Africa working to promote gender equality in and through the media and in all areas of governance; develop policies and conduct effective campaigns for ending gender violence and HIV/AIDS; and build the capacity of women and men to engage critically in democratic processes that advance equality and justice — as China’s delegate asked a question about the certificate of registration and Colombia’s representative asked about the organization’s affiliations.

GIC Technologies Nouvelles au Cameroun — a national organization in Cameroon, which wants, among other thing, to educate young people in the use of information technology — when Burundi’s delegate asked for the group’s registration certificate.

Human Rights Association for Community Development in Assiut — a national organization in Egypt, which, among other things, aims to enhance and protect human rights; enable people to develop their potential; and present human rights cases in Assiut Governorate to the Government — as the representative of the Russian Federation needed more time to consider the group’s responses to questions asked.

Ilngwesi Afya Program — a national NGO in Kenya, focusing on and raising awareness of the threats of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria — as Burundi’s representative wished to know if the organization accepted people who are not from their community.

Indira Gandhi Integral Education Centre — a national organization in India, which aims to conduct research, development and training programmes regarding Economic and Social Council and United Nations activities.  China’s delegate asked about the NGO’s projects in China, while Pakistan’s delegate needed more details on the group’s finances.

Kerman Raad — a national NGO in Iran working to develop the capabilities of physical and kinetic help-seekers with the purpose of reinforcing their self-confidence, self-sufficiency and self-employment — when India’s representative asked about the NGO’s finances and Venezuela’s representative requested more time to study the application.

Kuchlak Welfare Society — a national NGO in Pakistan which undertakes various projects and activities for the development of the poor communities living in the areas of Balochistan, notably by providing them quality environmental education and bringing change in their thinking and attitudes — as the representative of Pakistan asked about the organization’s funding sources and activities undertaken since it had received accreditation with the United Nations Department of Public Information.

Muhammadiyah Association — a national organization in Indonesia aiming to uphold and respect the values of Islam and thus allow a society to emerge that is just and blessed by Allah — as the representative of the Russian Federation queried the organization’s membership.

New Era Educational and Charitable Support Initiative — a national organization in Nigeria, which wants to revive human values that transcend religious, ethnic and cultural differences, including a sense of belonging to a common humanity, compassion and non-violence, and a commitment to preserving the natural environment and a social service ethic — when China’s delegate asked for registration documents and Burundi’s speaker requested examples of how it carried out its projects.

Odhikar — Coalition for Human Rights — a national NGO in Bangladesh, aiming to promote human rights and to document and investigate human rights abuses as well as abuses of the right to free speech and participation in governance — because Pakistan’s and China’s representatives asked for a certificate of registration and clarification of the name and about sources of funding.  As an observer, Bangladesh’s delegate said that “Odhikar” was a Bangla word that meant “rights”.  He requested that the NGO be considered after information from his Capital had been received.

PFI Foundation — a national organization in India, aiming to accelerate the pace of rural socio-economic development and alleviating poverty in rural areas and working for interfaith and intercultural understanding for peace and development of the South Asia region — because the representative of Pakistan asked about the organization’s funding resources and about projects geared towards minority religions.

Policy Research — a national NGO in Nigeria, which aims to generate empirical knowledge to support the building of a Nigeria and Africa where there is sustainable socio-economic progress, where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and good health — as Burundi’s delegate asked about the organization’s budget deficit and date of registration, and Bulgaria’s delegate needed more time to review the application.

Rufaida Health Foundation (RHF) — a national NGO in the Sudan which provides and promotes health services for all areas of the Sudan in general and the war- and natural disaster-affected areas in particular — as the representative of the Russian Federation asked for more information on the NGO’s finances.

Rural Development Organization — a national organization in Pakistan aiming, among other things, to promote a culture of tolerance and democratic norms in society; build the capacities of the marginalized segments of society; manage natural resources; and act as consultants, trainers and advisors for Governmental and non-governmental organizations on the subject related to sustainable development — as China’s delegate asked which marginalized segments the NGO served and what kinds of projects had been organized, and India’s representative asked about its funding sources.

Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre — a national organization in India, which aims to promote equal opportunities for, the full participation of and the protection of rights of persons with disabilities — as the delegate of Pakistan asked for specific projects that would clarify the scope of its work and the link with the Economic and Social Council.

Shohratgarh Environmental Society — a national organization in India working for a society where everyone achieves happiness, well-being and peace, through enabling all women, children and men to improve their health status, livelihood opportunities, education and food security — as the representative of Pakistan asked for more elaboration regarding the organization’s answer to a question regarding its finances and its sources of funding.

Skyian Welfare Organization — a national organization in Pakistan, which, among other things, works to improve people’s quality of life by providing basic health, education and sustainable livelihood facilities; achieving the Millennium Development Goals; and saving the fragile environment of Pakistan.  India’s delegate requested the NGO to correct faulty geographical terminology, clarify income expenditures and provide more details on planned activities with the Ministry of Youth.

Social Initiatives Support Fund — a national organization in Uzbekistan that strives to consolidate civil society efforts for improving the quality of life of citizens who need social support — as Kyrgyzstan’s delegate asked whether the NGO was cooperating with Government bodies, and if so, which bodies and in what areas.

Society for Human Advancement and Disadvantaged Empowerment (SHADE) — a national NGO in Pakistan working for the social, political and economic empowerment of women in Balochistan — with India’s representative asking for details on financial contributions made by the four other civil society groups mentioned in the application, as well as on its expenditures.

South Asian Forum for Environment — an international organization based in India working towards sustainable environmental development with a view to conserving natural resources and alleviating poverty in the Indian eco-region through partnership and participation — because Pakistan’s delegate asked for details about its work in the seven regional countries named in its application, to provide certificates of registration, details on its membership and the reasons its membership was in countries other than those in the region.

Terra-1530 — a national organization in the Republic of Moldova, working to strengthen rural communities' capacity to address sustainable development issues, with Kyrgyzstan’s delegate asking for more information about its finances.

Un Techo Para Mi Pais — a Chile-based international organization promoting higher living standards for impoverished families through the construction of transitional housing and the implementation of social inclusion programs in a joint effort between university student volunteers and communities.  Peru’s delegate recommended granting “special consultative status”; however, Venezuela’s representative requested more information regarding regional membership and the status of efforts to open an office in Venezuela.

Union Internationale des Voyageurs — a Togo-based international organization seeking to protect travellers against all illegal actions, “drive away” high taxes and draw attention to problems that harm road, air and sea transport, mainly by uniting associations, unions and others in charge of transport activities.  Pakistan’s delegate requested information on how the NGO would contribute to the Council’s work, while Peru’s delegate said its stated objectives did not correspond to the question asked.  However, the United States’ delegate said difficulties were likely due to language issues, and that reducing road accidents was an issue in which the Council was interested, among others.  She asked the NGO to elaborate, perhaps in French, on how it would further contribute.

Vision Welfare Group — a national NGO in Kenya working to eradicate poverty and fight drug abuse, especially among young people — with Belgium’s delegate asking how, with a $1,000 budget, the NGO thought it would carry out its projects.

West Africa Centre for Peace Foundation — a national organization in Ghana serving young people in schools and communities through human rights education, leadership training and peacebuilding for a social development.

Youth Bridge Foundation — a national organization in Ghana, with the goal to equip youths with information, platforms and resources that will enhance their physical, mental and socio-economic well-being and further help develop them into responsible adults.  Burundi’s representative asked whether the NGO was expanding projects throughout Africa and not just the region.

AIDS Foundation East-West — an international organization with headquarters in the Netherlands, which works in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS using innovative and proactive approaches — because Burundi’s delegate asking about its donors, Chamber of Commerce certificate, and registration certificate, and Cuba’s and Venezuela’s representatives asked about its use of Government funds.

AquaFed — International Federation of Private Water Operators — an international France-based NGO working to find solutions to water issues with all stakeholders, including Governments, institutions, labour and customer representatives, NGOs, public and private water professionals — with India’s delegate saying the organization had made it clear it was from the private-sector.  Resolution 1996/31 outlined that status was given to non-governmental organizations, meaning charitable and non-profit groups.

Belgium’s delegate, however, said the organization was likely a not-for-profit association of private companies, and that the Committee had considered a Colombian organization of entrepreneurs.  Cuba’s representative asked for more information about its possible contributions to the Council.

Asociación de Federaciones y Asociaciones de Empresarias del Mediterráneo — a Spain-based international NGO, which promotes equality in work and improved conditions for women in their socio-economic, technical and professional lives, with a view to eliminating discrimination.  Kyrgyzstan’s delegate asked about the NGO’s finances, while Bulgaria’s delegate was satisfied with the answers provided.  The representative of Spain, an observer delegation, said the organization had satisfactorily met all requirements of resolution 1996/31 and made efforts to promptly and comprehensively answer all questions put to it.  Though clarity might be needed, she trusted that the NGO would be recommended for consultative status.

Before the traditional question and answer session with NGO representatives could begin, Morocco’s representative, in a point of order, objected to the fact that some NGOs being considered had submitted registration certificates dating from 2009 and 2010.  That ran counter, he said, to the provisions of resolution 1996/31, which stipulated that an NGO had to have existed for two years before it could apply for consultative status.  One of the NGOs to participate in the upcoming question and answer session — Bureau international pour le respect des droits de l’homme au Sahara Occidental — had, during the May 2010 session, submitted a registration certificate dated 18 December 2009 and should not be allowed to participate in an interactive session.

Morocco’s objections were supported by the representatives of Burundi and Senegal.

Andrei Abramov, Chief of the Non-Governmental Organizations Branch, assured the representative that the Secretariat had done its due diligence in that regard. Some countries, notably Switzerland, however had not given a date of certification.

Cuba’s representative acknowledged that resolution 1996/31 had certain limits under national laws and that the United Nations could not compel a Government to follow the resolution’s instructions, as State sovereignty had to be respected.  There must, however, be a guarantee of the NGO’s existence in accordance with Swiss legislation, he said.  Once such a guarantee was received, the group’s application could be considered.

As the NGO’s representative was no longer available, the Committee decided to hear from other NGO representatives.

Launching the question and answer period, a representative of the Association of War-Affected Women in Sri Lanka responded to a query about its funding, saying the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Canadian International Development Agency had offered support.  To pay salaries, it received support from American Jewish World Service.  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Global Fund for Women also provided support to the organization.

To a query about how it ensured the independence of its decision-making, she said the organization was membership-based, and that it did not require fees.  In terms of sustainability, the nature of NGO work was such that there was never a guarantee of funding.  The group tried to ensure counterpart funding from donors for various projects.  Despite receiving funding from bilateral donors, the association conducted regular monitoring and evaluation.

As to whether the Association was a national, regional, or international organization, she said it was a national organization with regional outreach, meaning it was a member of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), which had a strong presence in the region.  In that coalition, it was working on various initiatives, like a campaign to highlight the positive impacts of resolution 1325 (2000).  It also was a member of Global Women Peacebuilders, Women Waging Peace, and Women Thrive Worldwide.  She would ask the NGO to submit a detailed list of other organizations that provided funding.

Next, a representative of Human Rights Now said his group conducted research and advocacy around human rights issues, contributed to international standards and norms, and worked to incorporate those standards and norms into Japanese legislation.  It also conducted education programmes in refugee camps on the Thai-Myanmar border; supported NGOs in Cambodia in their advocacy of extraordinary chambers related to the Khmer Rouge trials; and worked on women’s rights in Cambodia, helping to draft the law on human trafficking.  It also had sent a fact-finding mission to the Philippines to investigate extrajudicial killings.

Asked about any activities in the Latin American region, he said Human Rights Now conducted activities primarily in Asia.  It occasionally published reports about conflicts in other regions but did not have the resources to conduct fact-finding or education projects.  It had issued a statement condemning the United States’ holding of detainees in Guantanamo without proper consideration for their rights.

To a question about Japanese official development assistance (ODA) to other countries, he said the organization did not take the position that the Japanese Government should not provide ODA on the basis of development needs.  It did advocate the Government to consider human rights issues in conversations with foreign Governments.

Regarding Guantanamo, he said the NGO organized symposiums in Japan to highlight the situation at that camp.  It did focus its lobbying on the Japanese Government but he did could not say that it had the power to make the Government suspend its work, based on its guidance.  Outside of Asia, he said when it observed human rights abuses around the world, it sought to bring attention to them to the Japanese public and Government.

While Belgium’s delegate said he would be ready to recommend status for human Rights Now, representatives of the Russian Federation and China still had questions and requested that the NGO be considered again.

During the Committee’s earlierdeliberations, the representative of Greece, an observer delegation, asked for the reason of yesterday’s decision to recommend roster status for Hellenic Research and Educational Institute “Panos Mylonas” for the Road Safety and the Prevention/Reduction of Traffic Accidents instead of special consultative status, as road safety was an enormous problem in his country. 

In a procedural debate, the representatives of Pakistan and Russian Federation objected to the remarks, as a decision had been taken and could not be reviewed by the Committee.  Moreover, an observer to the Committee should only make statements of a general nature.  Greece’s delegate should have made his objections known during the deliberations on the NGO yesterday, and could still express his concerns in another body. 

The representative of the United States, however, drew attention to the fact that her delegation had registered strong concern about yesterday’s decision and would have preferred that the group would have been recommended for special consultative status.  Although she understood that a decision had been taken, she supported the notion that a Member State could express concerns at any time.

Concluding the debate, Greece’s delegate said he was not questioning the Committee’s decision, but merely wanted to hear the reasoning behind it. Any State in the Committee had a right to express its views on a general or more specific issue, he said.

At the end of the day, Cuba’s representative commented on the frequent problems with the Committee’s Website, which made it hard for delegates to access information on the NGOs being considered.  He said the information and communications technology (ICT) budget was one of the largest granted, and it was sad to see how the system was failing.  He asked the Bureau to contact the ICT Office, warning that the new budget would be discussed shortly in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).

The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 2 February, to continue its consideration of new applications for consultative status and begin consideration of applications for reclassification.

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