Substantive session of 2007 Geneva, 2-27 July 2007 Item 12 of the provisional agenda* Non-governmental organizations Report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on its resumed 2007 session (New York, 14-18 May 2007) Summary At its resumed 2007 session, held from 14 to 18 May 2007, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, had before it 136 applications for consultative status, including applications deferred from its 1999 to 2007 sessions. Of those applications, the Committee recommended 89 applications for consultative status, deferred 42 organizations for further consideration at a later date and closed consideration of 3 organizations. It did not recommend consultative status for two organizations deferred from previous sessions. The Committee had before it two requests for reclassification of consultative status, of which it recommended one. In addition, it reviewed 63 quadrennial reports, 6 of which had been deferred from previous sessions. The Committee heard seven representatives of non-governmental organizations. The present report contains six draft decisions on matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council. * E/2007/100 and Corr.1. By draft decision I, the Council would: (a) Grant consultative status to 89 non-governmental organizations; (b) Reclassify one non-governmental organization; (c) Note that the Committee took note of the quadrennial reports of 56 nongovernmental organizations; (d) Decide to close consideration of the applications of three nongovernmental organizations. By draft decision II, the Council would decide to withdraw the consultative status of the non-governmental organization Liberal International. By draft decision III, the Council would decide not to grant consultative status to the non-governmental organization Jewish National Fund. By draft decision IV, the Council would decide not to grant consultative status to the non-governmental organization Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights. By draft decision V, the Council would decide that the 2008 regular session of the Committee should be held from 21 to 30 January 2008 and its resumed session from 29 May to 6 June 2008, and would approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the 2008 session of the Committee. By draft decision VI, the Council would take note of the present report. Contents Chapter Paragraphs Page Part two Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council 1 5 Draft decisions for adoption by the Economic and Social Council 1 5 Draft decision I. Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification received from non-governmental organizations 1 5 Draft decision II. Withdrawal of consultative status of the non-governmental organization Liberal International 1 10 Draft decision III. Application of the non-governmental organization Jewish National Fund 1 10 Draft decision IV. Application of the non-governmental organization Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights 1 10 Draft decision V. Dates of the 2008 session of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations and provisional agenda 1 10 Draft decision VI. Report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on its 2007 resumed session 1 11 Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification 2–35 12 Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification deferred from previous sessions of the Committee 3–30 12 New applications for consultative status and new requests for reclassification 31–34 18 New applications for consultative status 32–33 18 New requests for reclassification 34 19 Applications of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council that have merged with non-governmental organizations without such consultative status 35 19 Review of quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council 36–39 20 Deferred quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Council 36–37 20 Review of quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council 38–39 20 Strengthening of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat 40 21 Review of the methods of work of the Committee: implementation of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31, including the process of accreditation of representatives of non-governmental organizations, and Council decision 1995/304 41–45 22 Consideration of issues on the agenda of the informal working group 41–43 22 Other related matters 44–45 23 Implementation of Economic and Social Council resolution 2006/46 46 24 Consideration of special reports 47–65 25 General voluntary trust fund in support of the United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations Informal Regional Network 66 29 Provisional agenda and documentation for the 2008 session of the Committee 67–69 30 Organization of the session 70–76 31 Opening and duration of the session 70 31 Attendance 71–73 31 Agenda 74–75 31 Documentation 76 31 Adoption of the report of the Committee at its resumed 2007 session 77 32 Annexes List of participants 33 List of documents 35 Chapter I Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council A. Draft decisions for adoption by the Economic and Social Council 1. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft decisions: Draft decision I Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification received from non-governmental organizations The Economic and Social Council decides: (a) To grant consultative status to the following 89 non-governmental organizations: General consultative status International Trade Union Confederation Special consultative status Abraham Fund Initiatives Aldet Centre: Saint Lucia Al-Hakim Foundation American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Centre AsayeSefid Asia Pacific Women’s Watch Asian Peoples’ Disability Alliance Asociatia Pro Democratia Association des consommateurs de telécommunications de Côte d’Ivoire Association for Emissions Control by Catalyst Association internationale des régions francophones Association marocaine des droits humains Association Nationale Al Hidn Bangladesh Scholarship Council Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Center for Democratic Renewal Center for Inter-ethnic Cooperation Cercle national des droits de l’homme Ankara Foundation of Children with Leukemia China Association for NGO Cooperation China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture China Great Wall Society Comité Français pour l’Afrique du Sud Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Community Based Rehabilitation Network (South Asia) Concern Worldwide (US) Coordination des associations et ONG féminines du Mali Credo-Action December 18 vzw Dignity International Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights European Centre for Law and Justice European Transport Safety Council Federación Internacional de Asociaciones de Ayuda Social, Ecológica y Cultural Fundación Antonio Núñez Jiménez de la Naturaleza y el Hombre Fundación Diagrama: Intervención Psicosocial Fundación MIR Fundación Sales Fundación Salvadoreña para el Desarrollo Económico y Social Global Alliance for TB Drug Development Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage Information Society of Ukraine Initiatives Researches Experiences for a New Europe Inner Trip Reiyukai International Institute for Sustainable Development and Research Institute for International Urban Development Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust International Bureau for Epilepsy International Medical Corps Islamic Human Rights Commission Jamaican Association on Mental Retardation Jana Utthan Pratisthan Katimavik Kurdistan Reconstruction and Development Society Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation Malaysian Medical Relief Society Maryam Ghasemi Educational Charity Institute Microteam education, apprentissage et nouvelles technologies Mision Mujer AC National Children’s and Youth Law Centre National Union of the Association of Protection of Motherhood, Childhood and Families Network Movement for Justice and Development Nonviolent Peaceforce Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development OISCA-International (South India Chapter) Pew Institute for Ocean Science Réseau international des organismes de bassin Réseaux I.P. Européens Network Coordination Centre Sahara for Life Trust SHATIL for Social Change Organizations Society for the Promotion of Youth and Masses Society for Women and AIDS in Africa Sodalitas SOUL Society for the Development of Women and Children Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund UNIFEM Australia United Religions Initiative United States Burn Support Organization Woïyo Kondeye World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities World Mission Foundation World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa Roster consultative status European Landowners’ Organization International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (b) To reclassify the following non-governmental organization from roster consultative status to special consultative status: UNESCO Centre of Catalonia (c) To note that the Committee took note of the quadrennial reports of the following 56 organizations: 8th Day Center for Justice African Services Committee Agencia Latinoamericana de Información American Society of Safety Engineers Association for Aid and Relief (Japan) Association of Presbyterian Women of Aotearoa (New Zealand) Baha’í International Community Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action Center for Psychology and Social Change Counterpart International Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Eagle Forum Education International Fédération européenne des femmes actives au foyer Foundation for Democracy in Africa Global Alliance for Women’s Health Grail Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood Greenpeace International Health on the Net Foundation Human Resource Development Foundation Imam Sadr Foundation Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Interfaith International International AIDS Vaccine Initiative International Association of Ports and Harbors International Chamber of Commerce International Confederation of Free Trade Unions International Council of Voluntary Agencies International Council on Jewish Social and Welfare Services International Federation of Women Lawyers International First Aid Society International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies International League for Human Rights International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions International Psychoanalytical Association Trust International Women’s Democracy Center International Young Catholic Students Interregional Union of Life Help for Mentally Handicapped Persons, “Sail of Hope” Italian Association for Women in Development JMJ Children’s Fund of Canada Korea International Volunteer Organization Ldeadership for Environment and Development International Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation Mercy Corps International National Association for Resource Improvement National Federation of Women for Democracy National Rehabilitation and Development Centre New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association of Canada Presbyterian Church (USA) Real Women of Canada Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Women Against Rape World Federation of Trade Unions (d) To note that the Committee closed consideration of the application for consultative status made by the following three non-governmental organizations: Association El Houda pour l’action feminine Global Ecolabelling Network Southern Organizing Cooperative Draft decision II Withdrawal of consultative status of the non-governmental organization Liberal International The Economic and Social Council decides to withdraw the consultative status of the non-governmental organization Liberal International. Draft decision III Application of the non-governmental organization Jewish National Fund The Economic and Social Council decides not to grant consultative status to the non-governmental organization Jewish National Fund. Draft decision IV Application of the non-governmental organization Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights The Economic and Social Council decides not to grant consultative status to the non-governmental organization Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights. Draft decision V Dates of the 2008 session of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations and provisional agenda The Economic and Social Council: (a) Decides that the 2008 regular session of the Committee will be held from 21 to 30 January 2008 and its resumed session from 29 May to 6 June 2008; (b) Approves the provisional agenda and documentation for the 2008 session of the Committee as set out below. 1. Election of officers. 2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. 3. Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification received from non-governmental organizations: (a) Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification deferred from previous sessions of the Committee; (b) New applications for consultative status and new requests for reclassification; (c) Applications of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council that have merged with nongovernmental organizations without such consultative status. 4. Quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council: (a) Deferred quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Council; (b) Review of quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Council. 5. Strengthening of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. 6. Review of the methods of work of the Committee: implementation of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31, including the process of accreditation of representatives of non-governmental organizations, and Council decision 1995/304: (a) Process of accreditation of representatives of non-governmental organizations; (b) Consideration of issues on the agenda of the informal working group; (c) Other related matters. 7. Implementation of Economic and Social Council resolution 2006/46. 8. Consideration of special reports. 9. General voluntary trust fund in support of the United Nations NonGovernmental Organizations Informal Regional Network. 10. Provisional agenda and documentation for the 2009 session of the Committee. 11. Adoption of the report of the Committee. Draft decision VI Report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organization on its 2007 resumed session The Economic and Social Council takes note of the report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on its 2007 resumed session. Chapter II Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification 2. The Committee considered item 3 of its agenda at its 14th through 22nd meetings, from 14 to 18 May 2007. It had before it a memorandum by the Secretary-General containing new applications for consultative status received from nongovernmental organizations (E/C.2/2007/R.2/Add.22-42), and a memorandum by the Secretary-General containing requests for reclassification from nongovernmental organizations (E/C.2/2007/R.3/Add.1), as well as a compilation of applications for consultative status deferred from previous sessions (E/C.2/2007/CRP.7). A. Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification deferred from previous sessions of the Committee 3. The Committee considered item 3 (a) of its agenda, applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification deferred from previous sessions of the Committee, contained in document (E/C.2/2007/CRP.7) at its 16th, 17th and 19th through 22nd meetings, from 15 to 18 May 2007. Applications recommended 4. The Committee recommended that the Council grant consultative status to 13 non-governmental organizations whose applications had been deferred from previous sessions (see chap. I, draft decision I, subpara. (a)): Ankara Foundation of Children with Leukemia Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Centre Asia Pacific Women’s Watch Cercle national des droits de l’homme Credo-Action European Centre for Law and Justice Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage International Bureau for Epilepsy International Trade Union Confederation Islamic Human Rights Commission Nonviolent Peaceforce Sahara for Life Trust Society for the Promotion of Youth and Masses Applications deferred pending responses to questions posed by the Committee 5. The Committee deferred its consideration of the applications of the following 24 non-governmental organizations pending the receipt of responses to questions posed by the Committee during its 2007 resumed session: Africa Action Ambedkar Centre for Justice and Peace American Sports Committee Incorporation Asian-Eurasian Human Rights Forum Association Sahel solidarité action Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights Cercle de recherche sur les droits et les devoirs de la personne humaine Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection Coordination internationale pour la décennie Foundation for Research and Support of the Indigenous Peoples of Crimea International Centre for Peace Studies International Crisis Group International Human Rights Observer Kashmiri American Council Ma Qualcuno Pensi ad Abele Marijuana Policy Project Foundation Mountain Women Development Organization National Democratic Institute for International Affairs Observer Research Foundation People’s Life Center Social Action Forum for Manav Adhikar Social Alert Stree Atyachar Virodhi Parishad Students for Sensible Drug Policy Applications closed 6. At its 16th meeting, on 15 May 2007, the Committee decided to close consideration of the applications of three non-governmental organizations as there had been no contact with those organizations for several sessions, on the understanding that the decision would not prevent the organizations from submitting a new application, should they decide to do so (see chap. I, draft decision I, subpara. (d)). Association El Houda pour l’action feminine Global Ecolabelling Network Southern Organizing Cooperative Applications not recommended 7. At its 16th, 17th 21st and 22nd meetings, on 15 and 18 May 2007, the Committee considered the application of the Jewish National Fund, a nongovernmental organization deferred from the 2006 session of the Committee. 8. At the 22nd meeting, on 18 May, the representative of Egypt stated that the response provided by the organization to his questions were not sufficient to alleviate his delegation’s concerns vis-à-vis the relationship between the Jewish National Fund and the JNF-KKL (Keren Kayameth LeIsrael), which was established in 1901 and continued to support illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories since 5 June 1967 and to discriminate against Israeli Arabs. He urged the organization to take more time to better present its case and clarify its independence from JNF-KKL, in particular since the organization is registered in the United States of America with the same name. He stressed that the distinction between its activities within the Green Line and those carried out by JNF-KKL still needed to be clarified, noting that insistence on taking action regarding the application for consultative status during the session would leave very little options for many delegations, including his own. 9. The representative of Israel stated that the organization had removed from its website the reference to Gilo Park since the organization was not directly involved in it. He added that the organization had given numerous clarifications and had answered all the questions submitted to it. The organization gave clear answers regarding its independence from KKL. The organization was not political in its motives or activities. Moreover, it had made tremendous contributions to the countries of the Middle East. Its activities were clearly focused on sustainable development and environmental conservation. 10. Several delegations requested to put the application of the organization to a vote. General statements before the vote 11. General statements before the vote were made by the representatives of the Israel, Qatar and the United States. Statements were also made by the observer delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic and the observer for Palestine. The representative of the United States underlined that the organization had responded to all questions posed by the Committee at the session and at previous ones. He emphasized that the organization was an independent United States charitable organization. The Jewish National Fund (United States) had raised $52 million in charitable donations. The Better Business Bureau and the Charity Navigator had recognized the organization with the highest ratings, based on evaluation of the organization’s financial practices and excellence in non-profit organizational governance. The organization had received support from some 600,000 donors, mostly American. It did not develop projects in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including the West Bank and the Golan Heights. However, the Jewish National Fund (United States) had built 189 reservoirs, providing 15 per cent of Israel’s water needs for agricultural purposes. Furthermore, the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan called for Israel to provide 50 million cubic metres of water per year to Jordan; much of that water was coming from Jewish National Fund (United States) reservoirs. Among other projects, the Jewish National Fund (United States) had founded the International Arid Lands Consortium in 1991 with six United States universities and the Ministries of Agriculture of Egypt and Jordan. The Consortium had worked in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey and many other countries challenged by arid lands. The Jewish National Fund (United States) was not a political organization and deserved to be granted consultative status. 12. The representative of Israel stated that, regrettably, the Committee had failed to debate the professional aspect of the organization and had ignored the contributions of the organization to the work of the Economic and Social Council and related global issues. Instead, it was clear that questions and the process of examination were purely political and irrelevant to the work of the Committee. Israel supported the organization for its contribution to the environment and to issues related to arid land in Israel. Moreover, the organization’s environmental activities benefited other countries around the world, including those in the Middle East, such as Jordan and Egypt. 13. The observer for Palestine, supported by the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, speaking as an observer State, stated that the organization had not provided information to show that it was not active in the occupied Palestinian territories. Its activities, including those on the Gilo Park project, violated the fourth Geneva Convention, representing a grave breach to Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions and an obstruction to the two-State solution. Consequently, it should not be granted consultative status. Statement in explanation of vote before the vote 14. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of Angola. 15. The Committee then proceeded to vote on the proposal to grant consultative status to the non-governmental organization Jewish National Fund, which was rejected by a roll-call vote of 7 in favour to 8 against, with 3 abstentions. In favour: Colombia, Israel, Peru, Romania, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. Against: Burundi, China, Cuba, Egypt, Guinea, Qatar, Russian Federation, Sudan. Abstaining: Angola, India, Pakistan. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote 16. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Pakistan. The representative of the United Kingdom said that he recognized the important environmental work done by the Jewish National Fund (United States). His delegation was greatly concerned, however, by various activities carried out by the organization JNF-KKL, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories. United Nations resolutions had repeatedly called for all settlement activities to end. He voted in favour of the application of the Jewish National Fund (United States) on the basis of the assurances it had provided to the Committee that they did not undertake projects in the occupied Palestinian territories, or allow their funds to finance such projects. The organization had also been explicit in stating that it neither shared nor supported a land sale approach that discriminated against certain groups of Israeli society. His Government encouraged all members of the Jewish National Fund family to adopt the same policy. General statement after the vote 17. A general statement after the vote was made by the representative of Israel. The delegate expressed his deep disappointment with the outcome of the vote taken by the Committee on the application submitted by the Jewish National Fund, an organization that played a vital and pivotal role in the field of combating desertification, a pressing issue that had significant implications for the Middle East and the entire world. The decision taken by the Committee was yet another example of an ill-founded procedural decision in a series of political debates that undermined the professional nature of the world body and of the Committee in particular. Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights 18. At its 17th and 20th through 22nd meetings, on 15, 17 and 18 May 2007, the Committee considered the application of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights, a non-governmental organization deferred from the previous session of the Committee. 19. The representative of Sweden, speaking as an observer State, stated that the organization was a well-established organization with recognized expertise in her country. When formulating national and international government policy in the area of diversity and non-discrimination, the Government of Sweden regularly consulted the organization. 20. At the 22nd meeting, on 18 May 2007, the representative of Egypt, on behalf of several other delegations, proposed a procedural motion to close consideration of the application owing to the lack of consensus on granting it consultative status as the responses of the organization did not alleviate many of the concerns raised. 21. The representative of the United States, supported by the representatives of India, Israel, Romania, Turkey and the United Kingdom, objected on procedural grounds. They underlined that in the past, an application was closed by the Committee only if the organization had not responded to the questions posed by members of the Committee. The organization had responded to all the questions posed. Thus, in the light of past practices, the Committee should decide only either to recommend or not recommend granting consultative status, or to defer the application to the next session. 22. The representative of Peru expressed support for the established practice of the Committee, with regard to the decision taken, to recommend or not recommend consultative status for the non-governmental organization. 23. Following a procedural debate on the issue of closing consideration of the application, a formal legal opinion was submitted by the Secretariat, explaining that, though unprecedented, according to the rules of procedure it was within the Committee’s competence to decide by a vote on a proposal to close consideration of an application. Several delegations requested that the proposal to close consideration of the application of the organization be put to a vote. General statements before the vote 24. A general statement before the vote was made by the representative of India. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote 25. The representative of the United Kingdom expressed his concern that the Committee, at the request of one delegation, was being forced to consider closing the consideration of an application. Such action undermined attempts by the Committee to promote the participation of the broadest possible range of nongovernmental organizations in the work of the United Nations. Efforts had to be inclusive and reflect the full diversity of the States Members of the United Nations. It was the view of his delegation that the non-governmental organization concerned fulfilled the relevant provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31. The non-governmental organization represented an important constituency that had the same right to engage in the work of the United Nations as all the others. To reject the application was an act of straightforward discrimination. 26. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were also made by the representatives of India, Israel, Romania and Turkey. 27. Subsequently, by a roll-call vote of 7 in favour to 7 against, with 2 abstentions, the Committee rejected the proposal to close consideration of the application for consultative status of the non-governmental organization Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights, under the provisions of rule 71 of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Council. In favour: Burundi, China, Egypt, Guinea, Qatar, Russian Federation, Sudan. Against: Colombia, India, Israel, Peru, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. Abstaining: Pakistan, Turkey. 28. On a request made by the delegate of Qatar, the Committee then proceeded to a vote on the application of the organization and decided to recommend not granting consultative status to the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights. The roll-call vote was 6 in favour of granting status to the organization, to 8 against, with 2 abstentions. In favour: Colombia, Israel, Peru, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. Against: Burundi, China, Egypt, Guinea, Pakistan, Qatar, Russian Federation, Sudan. Abstaining: India, Turkey. Statement in explanation of vote after the vote 29. A statement in explanation of vote after the vote was made by the representative of the United Kingdom, in which he expressed his deep disappointment with the decision of the Committee, which he believed ran contrary to the principles of the United Nations, of the Economic and Social Council and of the Committee. He added that his delegation would continue to argue for the full inclusion of the gay and lesbian community in the work of the United Nations. General statement after the vote 30. A general statement after the vote was made by the representative of Sweden, speaking as an observer State, in which she also expressed her regret at the conclusion of the vote of the Committee after all the efforts made by the organization to have a dialogue with the Committee. She stated that by denying the organization a positive recommendation, the Committee had diverted from the spirit of democracy, diversity and inclusiveness by which it was to be guided. It was the hope of the Government of Sweden that the Committee, in its future consideration of similar applications, would move away from what appeared to have become a discriminatory practice and support by consensus the participation of those organizations in the work of the United Nations. B. New applications for consultative status and new requests for reclassification 31. The Committee considered item 3 (b) of its agenda, new applications for consultative status and new requests for reclassification, contained in documents E/C.2/2007/R.2/Add.22-42, and E/C.2/2007/R.3/Add.1, at its 14th, 15th and 17th through 22nd meetings, from 14 to 18 May 2007. 1. New applications for consultative status Applications recommended 32. The Committee recommended that consultative status with the Council be granted to 76 organizations, which had submitted new applications (see chap. I, draft decision I, subpara. (a)). Applications deferred pending responses to questions posed by the Committee 33. The Committee deferred its consideration of the applications of the following 18 organizations pending the receipt of responses to questions posed by the Committee at its 2007 resumed session: Agape International Spiritual Center Assemblea delle Donne per lo Sviluppo e la Lotta Contro l’Esclusione Sociale Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas e Transgêneros Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman Centre for Conflict Resolution Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre Drug Policy Alliance Dynamic Christian World Mission Foundation Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales y Bisexuales Forest Products Association of Canada Hudson Institute Human Rights House Foundation Iranian Society of Engineering Design and Assembly Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre PeaceJam Foundation Red Venezolana de Organizaciones para el Desarrollo Social Trance Research Foundation TRIAL 2. New requests for reclassification 34. At its 20th meeting, on 18 May 2007, the Committee had before it two requests for reclassification of consultative status contained in document E/C.2/2007/R.3/Add.1. It decided to recommend the reclassification of one organization from roster consultative status to special consultative status (see chap. I, draft decision I, subpara. (b)). It decided to defer the reclassification of the following organization from special consultative status to general consultative status: Institute of International Social Development C. Applications of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council that have merged with non-governmental organizations without such consultative status 35. The Committee did not review the applications of the following organizations that have merged with organizations not having consultative status with the Council since the secretariat had not yet received their updated applications: (a) International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports-Federation International Sports organization for the Disabled, a merger of the International Sports Organization for the Disabled, in special consultative status, and the international Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation, not in status with the Council; (b) International Association of Women Judges, a merger of the international Women Judges Foundation, in special consultative status, and the International Association of Women Judges, not in status with the Council; (c) Center for Health and Population and Social Welfare, Future Institute for Sustainable Development, a merger of the World Population Society, in special consultative status, and the Center for Health and Population and Social Welfare and the Future Institute for Sustainable Development, not in status with the Council. Chapter III Review of quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council A. Deferred quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Council 36. The Committee considered item 4 (a) of its agenda at its 18th and 22nd meetings, on 16 and 18 May 2007. It had before it a memorandum by the Secretary-General containing a compilation of quadrennial reports submitted by nongovernmental organizations in consultative status with the Council on their activities during the period 1999-2007, which had been deferred from previous sessions of the Committee (E/C.2/2007/CRP.8). The Committee took note of the quadrennial reports of the following organization (see chap. I, draft decision I, subpara. (c)): International Confederation of Free Trade Unions 37. The Committee decided to defer its consideration of the quadrennial reports of the following five organizations, pending the receipt of responses from the organizations to questions posed by the Committee: Centrist Democrat International Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos National Council of Women of Thailand International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples International Press Institute B. Review of quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council 38. The Committee considered agenda item 4 (b) of its agenda at its 18th and 22nd meetings, on 16 and 18 May 2007. It had before it a memorandum by the Secretary-General containing new quadrennial reports (E/C.2/2007/2/Add.20-30). The Committee took note of the quadrennial reports of 56 organizations (see chap. I, draft decision I, subpara. (c)). 39. The Committee decided to defer its consideration of the quadrennial reports of the following two organizations, pending the receipt of responses from the organizations to the questions posed by the Committee: Centrist Democrat International Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute Chapter IV Strengthening of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat 40. This agenda item was examined at the 2007 regular session of the Committee. Chapter V Review of the methods of work of the Committee: implementation of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31, including the process of accreditation of representatives of non-governmental organizations, and Council decision 1995/304 A. Consideration of issues on the agenda of the informal working group 41. At its 20th meeting, on 17 May 2007, the facilitator of the informal working group of the Committee, Octavian Stamate (Romania), reported on the work of the working group. He informed the Committee that the working group had addressed two specific issues at its last meeting, on 9 May 2007: the quadrennial reports reporting process and the data regarding organizations on the Roster by virtue of their consultative status with other United Nations bodies or with the specialized agencies. Quadrennial reports 42. Concerned with the increased backlog caused by the late submission of quadrennial reports or the failure to submit them by non-governmental organizations in general and special consultative status, members of the informal working group examined various mechanisms that could improve the submission process. The outcome of the review led the facilitator to introduce a proposal on the basis of which the Committee approved an oral decision to establish a drafting group, composed of one representative of each regional group and one representative of the secretariat, to elaborate a draft decision determining the measures to be taken in the case of non-submission of quadrennial reports. The drafting group will report to the informal working group no later than 15 January 2008, with a view to submitting the draft decision for consideration by the Committee during its 2008 regular session. Organizations on the Roster by virtue of their consultative status with other United Nations bodies or with the specialized agencies 43. In addressing the issue of organizations on the Roster by virtue of their consultative status with other United Nations bodies or with the specialized agencies, the informal working group was made aware of the fact that the secretariat had no contact information on the non-governmental organizations that enjoyed the same advantages that the non-governmental organizations accredited to the Council did. Members of the working group were of the view that it was important for the secretariat to obtain information on the activities and contact numbers of those organizations from the United Nations entities concerned. Some members expressed the view that those non-governmental organizations should abide by the same criteria established by the Council if they wished to be entitled to the same advantages provided by consultative status with the Council. It was agreed that the Chair of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations and the Chief of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, would send a letter to the heads of the United Nations entities concerned to request information on the activities and contact details of the organizations and to inform them about the position of the Committee on the matter. B. Other related matters Non-governmental organizations requesting change of name 44. At its 22nd meeting, on 18 May 2007, the Committee took note of the change of name requested by the organization European Federation for the Welfare of the Elderly to its new name, European Federation of Older Persons, and by the organization African-American Institute to its new name, Africa-America Institute. Statements by non-governmental organizations at the 2007 session of the Economic and Social Council 45. At its 22nd meeting, on 18 May 2007, the Committee noted the statements submitted by the following 17 organizations to be heard by the Economic and Social Council at the high-level segment of its forthcoming 2007 session: Droit à l’energie Foundation for Research on Technology Migration and Integration Hope for the Nations Institute for the Development of Education, Arts and Leisure Institute of International Social Development International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies Ius Primi Viri International Association Legião da Boa Vontade Mulchand and Parpati Thadhani Foundation Mumbai Educational Trust Osservatorio per la Communcazione Culturale e l’Audiovisivo nel Mediterraneo e nel Mondo People’s Decade of Human Rights Education Vikas Samiti Virtue Foundation World Family Organization World Jewellery Confederation Young Women’s Christian Association of Nigeria Chapter VI Implementation of Economic and Social Council resolution 2006/46 46. There were no requests for consultative status received from nongovernmental organizations pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2006/46. Chapter VII Consideration of special reports Liberal International 47. At its 14th meeting on 14 May 2007, the Committee had before it a request by the delegation of China for withdrawal of the consultative status of Liberal International, a non-governmental organization based in the UK. The representative of China informed the Committee that during the fourth session of the Human Rights Council, Liberal International had abused its status with the Economic and Social Council by assisting a high-ranking official from Taiwan Province of China in speaking in its name during an interactive dialogue with special rapporteurs to advocate for the independence of Taiwan Province of China and the membership of Taiwan Province of China in the World Health Organization. The representative of China stated that the behaviour of the organization was contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31. He emphasized that the secretariat of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations Office at Geneva had clarified that the individual, who did not hold appropriate identification documents representing Liberal International, should not have been allowed to participate in the Human Rights Council meeting. The secretariat of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations Office at Geneva also apologized for the mistake and promised to take measures to prevent repetition of such an incident. 48. The representatives of Burundi, Cuba, Guinea, India, Pakistan, and the Russian Federation expressed their concern about the incident and supported the request of the Chinese delegation. 49. The representative of Egypt reiterated his country’s firm stance vis-à-vis a united China, the sole representative of which was the People’s Republic of China, and requested that the issue be dealt with seriously by the Committee. 50. The Committee requested the organization to provide an explanation of the incident that had taken place during the meeting of the Human Rights Council. 51. At its 18th meeting, on 16 May 2007, the Committee had before it a response provided by Liberal International. The United States delegation requested that the secretariat of the Committee ask the non-governmental organization to correct the use of non-United Nations terminology when referring to geographical territories and to explain its position on the “one China” policy. 52. At the 21st meeting on 18 May 2007, the Committee resumed its consideration of the complaint lodged by the Chinese delegation. The representative of China declared that the response provided by the organization was unsatisfactory to his delegation. The organization not only negated the fact that it had abused its status but had also tried to challenge the “one China” policy respected by all Committee members. He urged the Committee to take action to withdraw the status of the organization by consensus. 53. The representative of Cuba, supporting the proposal made by China, further added that the organization had made derogatory comments about Cuba and that its vice-president was a terrorist. 54. After a brief exchange with the secretariat, the representative of the United States noted that the questions previously posed to the non-governmental organization by his delegation to clarify the non-governmental organization’s position on the “one China” policy had not been transmitted to Liberal International. He requested more information and documentation regarding the terrorist allegations made by the delegation of Cuba and asked if a complaint had been filed against the non-governmental organization on those grounds. He emphasized that if it had, the non-governmental organization should have the right to respond to the new charges, before the Committee rendered a decision. 55. The delegate of Cuba stated that only one complaint had been presented and reiterated its support of China, adding that the response of Liberal International made it clear that the organization had deliberately committed a serious violation of its status, which was reason enough for application of the sanction proposed by China. In the context of considering the complaint filed by China, the Cuban delegation shared some information regarding one of the vice-presidents of Liberal International. 56. The secretariat clarified that no complaint other than the one filed by China had been received against Liberal International. 57. The representative of the United Kingdom supported the delegate of the United States. He stated that he was only ready to proceed with a vote on withdrawal of the organization’s consultative status on the condition that the vote was being taken solely on the basis of the Chinese complaint. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote 58. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by Israel, Romania and the United States. The representative of the United States emphasized that the action of the non-governmental organization under review did not reflect “a pattern of acts” as stipulated in Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31. He stated that the United States acknowledged that there was “one China” and encouraged a pacific resolution of the long-standing differences between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan Province of China. He stated that the United States did not support the full membership of Taiwan Province of China in such organizations as the United Nations, for which Statehood is a prerequisite but did support its meaningful participation in such organizations, including in appropriate technical activities of international organizations. His Government supported the membership of Taiwan Province of China in organizations for which Statehood was not a prerequisite. His Government believed that Liberal International did not direct an unsubstantiated or politically motivated act against the People’s Republic of China in its statement before the Human Rights Council, and that the meaningful participation of Taiwan Province of China in the World Health Organization was in the interests of the international community. He did not find a basis for sanctioning the organization and could not support China’s call for withdrawal of the organization’s consultative status by the Committee. 59. The representative of Israel expressed his support for the position of the United States. He added that Israel supported the important work of the non-governmental organization and believed that the proposed sanction was too harsh. Instead, Israel would have preferred an incremental sanction mechanism. He concluded that the Israeli vote should not be seen as reflecting its stance on the “one China” policy, and hence the Israeli position had not changed. 60. The representative of Romania stated that Romania’s delegation strongly supported the activities carried out by Liberal International to promote democratic values at the United Nations. With regard to the incident that had taken place during the fourth session of the Human Rights Council, it appeared that the organization had acted carelessly by facilitating access to United Nations premises in Geneva of a person whose statements were incompatible with the accepted position over Taiwan Province of China at the United Nations. However, given the nature and the minimal effects of the incident, the sanction proposed was clearly disproportionate and Romania therefore would abstain from the vote. 61. The Committee then decided to recommend withdrawal of the consultative status of the organization Liberal International by a roll-call vote of 13 in favour to 3 against, with 2 abstentions. In favour: Angola, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Guinea, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Russian Federation, Sudan, Turkey. Against: Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. Abstaining: Peru, Romania. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote 62. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of Cuba and Peru. The representative of Peru said that her country recognized and supported the principle of “one China”, but that with regard to the vote Peru had abstained because it believed that the proposal to withdraw the consultative status of the non-governmental organization was disproportionate. She stated that while Peru acknowledged that Liberal International had committed an infraction, Peru would have preferred for the organization’s consultative status to have been suspended, rather than withdrawn. 63. The representative of Cuba stated that he supported the withdrawal of consultative status proposed by China, taking into account the serious violation of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31. He also pointed out that the organization, in its illegal intervention, had spread untenable slanders in connection with Cuba, proving the politically motivated nature of its work. He also called attention to the vice-president of the organization, Carlos Alberto Montaner, an individual born in Cuba, with a notorious terrorist background, who was wanted by the Cuban justice system since the 1960s, and who had been indicted and sentenced for engaging in bomb attacks in Cuba and for concealing explosives in cigar boxes. He had managed to escape from prison in Cuba. In the 1970s in Spain, he had been in charge of facilitating the entry into France of terrorist Juan Felipe de la Cruz, who later died as a result of a detonated bomb he was carrying with the aim of attacking Cuban diplomatic targets in Europe. Mr. Montaner had founded the Cuban-Spanish Foundation, a branch of the mobster Cuban-American National Foundation, which had financed several terrorist acts against Cuban people, including attacks masterminded by the terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, who is responsible for the midair bombing of a commercial jetliner in 1976, and several dynamite attacks of Cuban tourist facilities in 1997. General statements after the vote 64. General statements after the vote were made by the representatives of China and the United Kingdom. The representative of China stated that the decision made by the Committee secured the credibility of consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. He added that various attempts to seek a consensual decision had failed, mostly because of the negation of the incident by the organization. 65. The representative of the United Kingdom reiterated that the decision taken by the Committee was solely taken on the basis of the complaint made by China and not on the spurious and unfounded allegations made by the delegation of Cuba. He stated that, in calling for the vote, his delegation was not taking a position on the views expressed by Liberal International at the fourth session of the Human Rights Council. Furthermore, the decision reached by the Committee should not be interpreted as a statement for or against those views. The United Kingdom recognized the rights of individuals and organizations to express their views and continued to protect those rights. The United Kingdom did not condone the action of the organization at the meeting of the Human Rights Council and welcomed the decision taken in response to what happened by the board of Liberal International, and subsequently endorsed by its executive committee, to look more stringently at who represented the organization at the United Nations and to not allow delegates to make oral statements on issues concerning their countries, entities or any other conflict of interest area. The United Kingdom believed that this should prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The representative of the United Kingdom emphasized that Liberal International had engaged constructively in a range of United Nations activities without incident since it had been granted consultative status with the Council. He said that withdrawing the consultative status of that important non-governmental organization would remove an important voice from the discussion at the United Nations on issues such as trade, the environment and human rights. The delegation of the United Kingdom did not see the incident of 30 March as evidence of Liberal International engaging in a pattern of acts contrary to the purposes and principals of the Charter of the United Nations, the actual criteria by which, according to Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31, suspension or withdrawal should be decided. Therefore, China’s proposal to withdraw the consultative status could not be considered as fair or proportionate and the United Kingdom would vote against it. The representative of the United Kingdom stated that the United Kingdom’s “one China” policy had not changed. Chapter VIII General voluntary trust fund in support of the United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations Informal Regional Network 66. This agenda item was examined at the 2007 regular session of the Committee. Chapter IX Provisional agenda and documentation for the 2008 session of the Committee 67. At its 22nd meeting, on 18 May 2007, the Committee considered agenda item 10, provisional agenda and documentation for the 2008 session of the Committee. It had before it the draft provisional agenda for its 2008 session (E/C.2/2007/L.3). 68. At the same meeting, the Committee decided to recommend to the Council the following dates for the sessions in 2008: 21 to 30 January for its 2008 regular session and 29 May to 6 June for its resumed 2008 session (see chap. I, draft decision V, subpara. (a)). 69. Also at the same meeting, the Committee approved the provisional agenda for its 2008 session for submission to the Economic and Social Council (chap. I, draft decision V, subpara. (a)). Chapter X Organization of the session A. Opening and duration of the session 70. The Committee held its resumed 2007 session from 14 to 18 May 2007. The Committee held nine meetings. B. Attendance 71. The session was attended by the 19 members of the Committee. 72. Thirteen observers for other States Members of the United Nations; two observers for non-member States, a representative of an organization of the United Nations system and observers for non-governmental organizations also attended. The list of participants is contained in annex I to the present report. 73. At its 2007 resumed session, the Committee heard seven representatives of non-governmental organizations, who were given the opportunity to respond to questions raised by the Committee. The additional information provided by the representatives facilitated the debate and the work of the Committee in taking its decisions. C. Agenda 74. At its 14th meeting, on 14 May 2007, the Committee had before it the provisional agenda for its 2007 session, as adopted at the first meeting of its regular session (E/C.2/2007/1). 75. At the same meeting, the Committee approved its organization of work. D. Documentation 76. The list of documents before the Committee at its resumed 2007 session is contained in annex II to the present report. Chapter XI Adoption of the report of the Committee at its resumed 2007 session 77. At its 22nd meeting, on 18 May 2007, the Committee adopted the draft report (E/C.2/2007/L.2) and authorized the Rapporteur to finalize the report, in consultation with the members of the Committee, as appropriate. Annex I List of participants Members Angola Ismael A. Gaspar Martins, Estevão Alberto, Salvador Allende D. Bom Jesus, José Daio da Silva Burundi Heménégilde Nkurabagaya, Albert Shingiro China Zhang Dan, Li Xiaomei, Guo Jiakun, Shi Xiaodan Colombia Claudia Blum, Jairo Montoya, Pedro Agustín Roa Arboleda, Jorge Torres Cuba Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, Ileana Núñez Mordfoche, Luis Amorós Núñez, Mirta Granda Averhoff, Claudia Pérez Alvarez, Samuel Babilonia Ballate Dominica Crispin S. Gregoire, Zilpha Theodore Egypt Maged Abdelaziz, Khaled Elbakly, Soha Gendi, Wael M. Attiya, Mohamed Elghitany Guinea Alpha Ibrahima Sow, Paul Goa Zoumanigui, Mamadouba Camara India Nirupam Sen, Ajai Malhotra, N. Reddy Bollavaram Israel Ilan Fluss, Harel Shoham Pakistan Munir Akram, Farukh Amil, Imtiaz Hussain, Bilal Hayee Peru Luis Enrique Chávez, Romy Tincopa, Gonzalo Guillén Qatar Jamal Nasser Al-Bader, Mohammed Sultan Al-Kuwari, Amr Ghaleb Romania Octavian Stamate Russian Federation Grigory E. Lukiyantsev, Oleg A. Demekhin, Vladimir Y. Zheglov, Boris V. Chernenko, Alexander A. Abramov Sudan Hassan Hamid Hassan Turkey Serhat Aksen United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Harriet Cross, Tom Woodroffe, Simon Finn United States of America Richard Miller, Paul Birdsall, Mariano Ceinos-Cox, Peggy Kerry States Members of the United Nations represented by observers Algeria, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Japan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and Viet Nam Non-member States and entities represented by observers Holy See and Palestine Specialized agencies United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Annex II List of documents Document symbol Agenda item Title or description E/C.2/2007/1 2 Provisional agenda and annotations E/C.2/2007/2/Add.20-30 4 (b) Quadrennial reports for the period 2002-2005 submitted through the Secretary-General pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 E/C.2/2007/R.2/Add.22-42 3 (b) New applications received from nongovernmental organizations for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council E/C.2/2007/L.2 11 Draft report E/C.2/2007/CRP.7 3 (a) Applications received from non-governmental organizations for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council deferred from previous sessions of the Committee held in the period from 1999 to 2007 E/C.2/2007/CRP.8 4 (a) Compilation of quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in general and special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council deferred from previous sessions of the Committee held in the period from 1999 to 2007 E/C.2/2007/CRP.9 6 (b) Consideration of issues on the agenda of the informal working group of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations E/C.2/2007/CRP.10 6 (a) Report of non-governmental organizations in roster consultative status in active correspondence with the NonGovernmental Organizations Section of the Secretariat E/C.2/2007/CRP.11 5 Strengthening of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat   sss1 \* MERGEFORMAT E/2007/32 (Part II) sss1 \* MERGEFORMAT E/2007/32 (Part II) FooterJN \* MERGEFORMAT 07-36732 \* MERGEFORMAT 34 \* MERGEFORMAT 35 FooterJN \* MERGEFORMAT 07-36732 United Nations E/2007/32 (Part II) Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 1 June 2007 Original: English jobn \* MERGEFORMAT 07-36732 (E) 270607 Barcode \* MERGEFORMAT *0736732*