| United Nations | E/C.2/1996/3 |
Economic and Social Council
Distr. GENERAL
31 July 1996
ENGLISH
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH AND
SPANISH
COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS
13-17 May and 26-30 August 1996
Agenda item 4
REVIEW OF QUADRENNIAL REPORTS SUBMITTED BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS IN CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH THE ECONOMIC AND
SOCIAL COUNCIL, CATEGORIES I AND II
Follow-up to the decisions taken by the Committee on
Non-governmental Organizations at its resumed 1995
session
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
Note................................................................... 3
I. QUADRENNIAL REPORTS FOR THE PERIOD 1990-1993 ......... 1 - 9 4
A. Liberal International ............................ 2 - 3 4
B. Christian Democrat International ................. 4 - 5 4
C. International Young Christian Workers ............ 6 - 7 5
D. International Agency for Rural Industrialization . 8 - 9 6
II. FOLLOW-UP TO THE DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE AT
ITS 1993 SESSION ..................................... 10 - 19 6
A. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences,
Inter-American Federation of Touring and
Automobile Clubs, and World Africa Chamber of
Commerce ......................................... 10 - 11 6
B. Institute for Policy Studies ..................... 12 - 13 10
C. International Committee for European Security and
Cooperation ...................................... 14 - 15 10
D. International Society for Research on Aggression . 16 - 17 10
E. Pax Christi International ........................ 18 - 19 11
Note
At its resumed 1995 session, the Committee decided to pursue its
consideration of the reports of several organizations at its 1996 session (see
E/1996/17).
I. QUADRENNIAL REPORTS FOR THE PERIOD 1990-1993
1. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations at its resumed 1995
session discussed the quadrennial reports for the period 1990-1993.
A. Liberal International
2. Regarding the report of Liberal International (see E/C.2/1995/2),
several members of the Committee stated that the report was satisfactory and
that the organization had complied with the provisions of Council resolution
1296 (XLIV). Other members of the Committee stated that the report and
subsequent information provided by the organization were not satisfactory,
especially regarding references to "Taiwan" and "Macedonia" and the
information provided regarding the "Unio'n Liberal Cubana". The Committee
decided that it would pursue its consideration of the report at its 1996
session (see E/1996/17, para. 10).
3. The Secretariat informed the organization of the decision taken by the
Committee.
B. Christian Democrat International
4. Regarding the report of Christian Democrat International (see
E/C.2/1995/2/Add.3), one member requested additional information regarding the
"peace process, reconciliation and/or democratization in a number of
countries". The Committee, noting that the information had not been provided
during the current session, decided to pursue its consideration of the report
at its 1996 session (see E/1996/17, para. 11).
5. The organization communicated the following information to the
Secretariat:
The text of our quadrennial report for the period 1990-1993 (see
E/C.2/1995/2/Add.3) states the following on the point mentioned:
"Major activities include the following:
Support for the peace process, reconciliation and/or democratization
in a number of countries: El Salvador, Nicaragua, Madagascar, Burundi,
Rwanda, Cuba, Haiti, Zaire and the Philippines;" (a description of other
activities follows.)
The Committee has requested three clarifications: (a) the nature of the
activities in connection with the peace process, reconciliation and/or
democratization in Cuba; (b) who is participating in these activities;
(c) what are the funds and the origin of the funds supporting these
activities and their implementation.
This is our reply:
(a) Christian Democrat International (CDI) is an international
organization of political parties, federations of parties and regional
and sectoral organizations throughout the world whose principles, values
and objectives are clearly described in the introduction to the
quadrennial report cited. The activities of CDI in all the countries
listed are of a political and humanitarian nature. The following are
some examples:
(i) Inclusion of a specific theme/country in statutory meetings of
CDI, as well as in national and/or international conferences
and forums. Adoption and dissemination of resolutions and
declarations;
(ii) Solidarity with the political positions and activities of the
parties and regional organizations which are members of CDI;
(iii) Recognition and support for concrete signs of openness and
dialogue on the part of Governments and among the political and
social sectors of the countries referred to above;
(iv) Promotion and support for the positions of intergovernmental
organizations having these same objectives;
(v) Condemnation of any form of violence, foreign intervention in
the internal affairs of any country, and any violation of human
rights and the rights of peoples, whatever the cause or pretext
may be;
(vi) Statements to the annual sessions of the Commission on Human
Rights in Geneva;
(vii) Contacts with Governments, their ambassadors and delegates;
(viii) Visits to those countries by representatives of CDI member
parties and organizations;
(b) CDI member parties and organizations participate in these
activities through their accredited representatives;
(c) These and all other CDI activities are financed with its own
funds derived from annual contributions from CDI member parties and
organizations.
C. International Young Christian Workers
6. Regarding the report of International Young Christian Workers (see
E/C.2/1995/2/Add.6), some members requested additional information on the
activities of the organization since they related specifically to the Economic
and Social Council. The Committee decided to pursue its consideration of the
report at its 1996 session (see E/1996/17, para. 13).
7. The organization has communicated the following information to the
Secretariat:
Our direct participation in activities related to the United nations
during 1990-1993 was limited to the activities of UNESCO and the ILO.
However, during that period we maintained our participation in Economic
and Social Council activities through our sister organization, the World
Movement of Christian Workers (WMCW).
The reason for delegating our participation to WMCW concerns our
internal organization: in recent years, we have been faced with the
problem of working with an insufficient number of full-time staff in our
international secretariat. In the interim, however, we did participate
actively in the non-governmental organizations group which, coordinated
by WMCW, prepared a declaration for the World Summit for Social
Development, among other activities.
In November 1995, we convened our International Council and Summit
of Young Workers in South Africa, at which a new team was elected for
the international secretariat, and its staff is now complete. We can
therefore assure you of a more efficient representation in the future,
and we hope that we can count on your understanding concerning the
period in question.
D. International Agency for Rural Industrialization
8. Regarding the report of the International Agency for Rural
Industrialization (see E/C.2/1995/2/Add.8), the Committee decided to request
the organization to provide additional information regarding its activities on
"promotion of rural industrialization" and to request the representative of
the organization to appear before the Committee at its 1996 session (see
E/1996/17, para. 15).
9. The organization has not replied to the Secretariat.
II. FOLLOW-UP TO THE DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE
AT ITS 1993 SESSION
A. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Inter-American
Federation of Touring and Automobile Clubs, and
World Africa Chamber of Commerce
10. The Committee, noting the information provided to the Secretariat by the
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the Inter-American Federation of Touring
and Automobile Clubs, and the World Africa Chamber of Commerce, decided to
request those three organizations to confirm their interest in using their
consultative status in the future (see E/1996/17, para. 18).
11. The Inter-American Federation of Touring and Automobile Clubs provided
the following information:
Basic Information on FITAC
The Inter-American Federation of Touring and Automobile Clubs
(FITAC) is the name adopted beginning 26 November 1963 by the body
founded in Mexico on 21 September 1941 under the name International
Federation of Automobile Clubs (FIAC), on the initiative of the
Governments of the Americas meeting in Mexico City for the fourth Pan-
American Highway Congress and the second Inter-American Travel Congress.
The objective of FITAC is to achieve unity, defend the interests and
coordinate the efforts of its affiliates in order to promote and develop
tourism, motoring and road construction in all their forms and
manifestations in the Americas.
The following organizations or clubs are members: Automo'vil Club
Argentino, Touring Club Argentino, Touring y Automo'vil Club Boliviano,
Automo'vil Club do Brazil, Touring Club do Brazil, Canadian Automobile
Association, Touring y Automo'vil Club de Colombia, Automo'vil Club de
Costa Rica, Automo'vil Club de Chile, American Automobile Association,
American Automobile Touring Alliance, Automo'vil Club del Ecuador,
Automo'vil Club del Salvador, Asociacio'n Mexicana Automovili'stica,
Asociacio'n Nacional Automovili'stica (Mexico), Touring y Automo'vil
Club Paraguayo, Touring y Automo'vil Club del Peru, Trinidad and Tobago
Automobile Association, Automo'vil Club del Uruguay, Centro
Automovilista del Uruguay, and Touring y Automo'vil Club de Venezuela.
The management and administration of FITAC is the responsibility of
the Assembly, which is the highest authority; the Board of Directors,
which is responsible for ensuring that the statutes and regulations are
observed, and the Executive Committee, which acts on behalf of the
Executive Board.
The legal domicile of FITAC is Buenos Aires. Its current statute
was adopted at the meeting of the FITAC Assembly held in Washington,
D.C., in August 1981.
Its current President is Dr. Carlos A. Mersa'n, President of the
Touring y Automo'vil Club Paraguayo. The members of the Board of
Directors for the period 1994-1998 are:
American Automobile Association (United States)
Touring y Automo'vil Club Boliviano
Automo'vil Club de Chile
Centro Automovilista del Uruguay
Automo'vil Club do Brasil
Touring Club Argentino
Asociacio'n Mexicana Automovili'stica
Touring y Automo'vil Club de Venezuela
Achievements
1. FITAC prepared the first distinctly American customs document, a
customs passage booklet, whose use markedly streamlined automobile
travel the Americas.
2. FITAC has promoted the earliest possible completion of the Pan-
American Highway system and the installation of roadside auxiliary
services (filling stations and other facilities, public lavatories,
hotels, motels, etc.).
3. It has favoured uniformity of legal regimes for transit and signage
systems in the Americas. It should be highlighted that its efforts and
advocacy had an influence on the change to right-hand drive in
Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, resulting in uniform drive throughout
the continent.
4. FITAC negotiated the signing of bilateral agreements and continental
conventions to promote exchanges by eliminating such obstacles as
applications to consulates for visas, immigration regulations and entry
or exit permits.
5. FITAC has worked continuously in favour of the earliest possible
signing and/or ratification by all the countries in the hemisphere of
the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automobile Traffic,
the adoption of the International Automobile Registration Certificate
and the International Driver's Licence.
6. FITAC has organized automotive sporting competitions as a way to
promote the use of the highways making up the Pan-American System.
7. It has attempted to coordinate customs operations in order to avoid
difficulties and delays in inter-American transit.
8. In harmony with its aim of promoting inter-American travel, the
development of which will undoubtedly foster friendship among peoples
through mutual knowledge and cultural and economic exchanges, FITAC has
organized and encouraged the production of the greatest possible amount
of information on roads and tourism.
Report of activities
(February 1991-February 1996)
In the period 1991-1996, FITAC made efforts among all its member
associations to advance its plan of work and to develop activities to
promote tourism between the various member countries.
Mention should also be made of the exchange of information on the
respective services that each club offered to its members, which were
also granted to all members of the various clubs forming FITAC.
During this period, FITAC held annual meetings in several of its
member countries, at which topics relating to the strengthening of unity
and cooperation among the automobile clubs affiliated with it were
discussed.
Efforts have been under way for many years to establish an insurance
company with FITAC members as shareholders, and another specialized body
through which each organization would communicate its experiences in
that area. This project will soon be finalized.
We have also been working on forming a company to increase tourism,
also with share capital from all the members of FITAC, with the goal of
reducing the cost of travel from one country to another, thus giving
tourism among the countries of the Americas a needed boost.
A guide to services provided by affiliated organizations to tourists
from other countries was produced to help tourists in planning their
trips.
Members conducted activities in their respective countries to
harmonize criteria for action and thus to improve services. For
example, in Chile, a meeting was held in November 1995 at the Automo'vil
Club de Chile with the heads of all the automobile clubs affiliated with
FITAC in order to exchange experiences and views on matters of common
interest. This is an innovation that originated with this organization
and will continue into the future, undoubtedly with excellent results.
It should be noted that, owing to the serious economic difficulties
in most countries in the Americas, only one of the several FITAC working
groups has been able to meet in recent years, namely the Committee on
Statutes and Legal Affairs. At this meeting, the constitution and
statutes of the Automo'vil Club de Costa Rica were examined; it had
requested affiliation with our organization and is now a member. FITAC
has grown with the addition of a new member body, and thus its annual
meeting in 1996 will be held in San Jose', Costa Rica.
After some deliberations, our organization, at the last meeting of
the Board of Directors in Caracas in 1995, made the use of the FITAC
logo mandatory in all international documents issued by any of its
member clubs. This decision, which took effect on 1 January 1996, helps
to give the organization even more visibility in the Americas.
At our offices in Buenos Aires, where the Secretariat is located, we
also sell maps of member countries (and sales are constantly increasing)
which kindly provide us with the materials, including materials on other
areas of the world. This service is very well received by the entire
membership and the general public, who come to us because it is
difficult to plan a trip without good maps. We believe that in this way
we are making an important contribution to tourism and promotion,
especially in the countries of the Americas.
As we have mentioned above, although the general economic situation
in our member countries has delayed some projects which have been put on
hold, others have already been completed and others are still under
preparation.
FITAC and all its member clubs are continuing to work to expand the
organization's presence throughout the Americas.
B. Institute for Policy Studies
12. Regarding the report of the Institute for Policy Studies (see
E/C.2/1995/3), the Committee, during the current session, requested the
organization to indicate if it had used its consultative status since 1991 and
if it intended to use it in the future. Since the information requested was
not provided, the Committee decided to pursue its consideration of the report
at its 1996 session (see E/1996/17, para. 19).
13. The organization communicated the following information to the
Secretariat:
The Institute for Policy Studies intends to use its consultative
status with the Economic and Social Council in the next few years,
especially related to the Paths for the 21st Century Project. This
project, international in scope, concerns itself with new ideas and
movements in all issues bearing on economic and social justice, as well
as human rights. The project involves leading scholars around the world
who will produce an eight-volume series on paths for the 21st century.
C. International Committee for European Security
and Cooperation
14. Regarding the report of the International Committee for European
Security and Cooperation (see E/C.2/1995/3), the Committee, during the current
session, requested the organization to provide additional information on its
activities specifically connected with the Economic and Social Council. Since
the information requested was not provided, the Committee decided to pursue
its consideration of the report at its 1996 session (see E/1996/17, para. 20).
15. As of 15 July 1996, no reply had been received from the organization.
D. International Society for Research on Aggression
16. Regarding the report of the International Society for Research on
Aggression (see E/C.2/1995/3), the Committee, during the current session,
requested the organization to provide additional information on its activities
specifically connected with the Economic and Social Council. Since the
information requested was not provided, the Committee decided to pursue its
consideration of the report at its 1996 session (see E/1996/17, para. 21).
17. As of 15 July 1996, no reply had been received from the organization.
E. Pax Christi International
18. Regarding the report of Pax Christi International (see
E/C.2/1995/3/Add.1), several members of the Committee were of the opinion that
the report was satisfactory and in compliance with Council resolution
1296 (XLIV). Other members pointed out that the report and the additional
information provided by the organization were not satisfactory, in particular
the references to the issue of Tibet. The Committee decided to close its
discussion of the report and to request the organization to provide further
information for consideration by the Committee at its 1996 session (see
E/1996/17, para. 22).
19. The organization has provided the following information:
Report of activities, 1992-1995
Pax Christi is an international Catholic peace movement that was
founded towards the end of World War II to foster reconciliation and
peace. Pax Christi believes that Christians should be in the forefront
of the search for new approaches in the fields of security and
demilitarization; human rights; ecology and development; and the linking
of these issues.
New York
The Pax Christi team at the United Nations in New York has dealt
mainly with the following issues: disarmament; arms trade and security
issues; social development and human rights; inter-faith dialogue; child
soldiers; street children; and refugees. Team members attended relevant
United Nations forums, networked with other non-governmental
organizations with similar agendas, called the national missions of
appropriate countries, presented interventions, attended seminars and
study days, and developed research files.
The Pax Christi team participated actively in the work of the three
subcommittees of the Non-Governmental Organizations Committee on
Disarmament. One representative attended General Assembly First
Committee meetings on issues of security and disarmament; compiled
resource materials on such issues as the Conventional Arms Register; and
had contacts with the Centre for Disarmament. Other representatives
attended General Assembly Third Committee meetings on human rights
issues; subcommittee meetings on child soldiers and street children of
the Non-Governmental Organizations Committee on UNICEF; attended the
various non-governmental organizations committees on human rights, the
family and ageing; and participated in the work of the Non-Governmental
Organizations Committee on Religion.
In 1993, about 50 European and Asian participants in Pax Christi
International working groups and commissions paid a visit to the United
Nations in New York, where they participated in a two-day information
programme on the work of the United Nations, which was prepared by the
New York representatives of Pax Christi.
The Pax Christi team at the United Nations spent much of its time on
issues related to the World Summit for Social Development, and sent a
delegation to the Summit itself. Work was also done in the area of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Many national branches of Pax Christi were active in national and
international campaigns for a total ban on land-mines; on the issue of
the United Nations Arms Trade Register; on the Nuclear Proliferation
Treaty; and on arms trade issues in general.
The Pax Christi team at the United Nations regularly responded to
requests from Pax Christi International and from its national branches
for information, resource materials and personal contacts.
Geneva, human rights, fact-finding and missions
Fact-finding visits and missions were sent to study the human rights
situation in Georgia (1992); Armenia and Azerbaijan (1992); Haiti
(1993); the Sudan (1993); Egypt, Israel and the Occupied Territories
(1993); Turkey (1993); Brazil (1994); Romania (1994); the Central
African Republic (1995); and the Russian Federation (Chechnya, 1995).
An observer team was sent to Angola in 1992.
The Pax Christi team in Geneva was active primarily in the field of
human rights, most notably by organizing briefings and presenting
interventions at the annual sessions of the Human Rights Commission and
the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of
Minorities.
Pax Christi interventions at meetings of the Commission for Human
Rights over its last four sessions covered, inter alia, religious
intolerance; torture and disappearances; violations of human rights in
all countries; the rights of the child; the role of youth in the
promotion and protection of human rights, with particular reference to
the right to conscientious objection as a basic human right; the
exploitation of women; the debt crisis and the right to development;
anti-personnel mines; and extreme poverty. Some interventions were made
in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations.
Interventions at the last four sessions of the Subcommission on
Prevention on Discrimination and Protection of Minorities covered,
inter alia, the situation in the Middle East; former Yugoslavia; the
Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville; Haiti; the Commonwealth of
Independent States; intolerance and discrimination; and, in close
cooperation with other non-governmental organizations, the United
Nations Year for Indigenous Peoples, and the issues of apartheid, racism
and discrimination.
Vienna
A six-member Pax Christi International delegation participated in
the World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna, June 1993).
Pax Christi International publishes a bi-monthly newsletter in
English and French. The newsletter includes information; reports;
announcements of activities, seminars and conferences; and news from
affiliated groups, national branches, the international movement and Pax
Christi representatives at the United Nations in New York and Geneva.
Pax Christi has a catalogue that briefly describes a broad range of its
publications on such topics as human rights, security and disarmament,
North-South relations and the United Nations.
Detailed reports of the work of the Pax Christi teams were regularly
submitted to its Executive Committee and to its appropriate commissions
and/or working groups. Team members also reported regularly on United
Nations initiatives and developments in the various publications issued
by national branches of Pax Christi.
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