Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations Recommends 10 Groups for Special Status with Economic and Social Council, Defers Action on 43 Others

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today recommended 10 organizations for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council — including the group known as The Palestinian Return Centre, Ltd., on which a recorded vote was held — and deferred action on 43 others.

The 19-member Committee vets applications submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), recommending general, special or roster status on the basis of such criteria as the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.  Organizations enjoying general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items.

Action on applications were deferred due to Committee members requesting further information from the candidates about, among other items, details of their respective organizations’ projects, partners, expenditures, sources of funding and relationship with United Nations system actors.

The Palestinian Return Centre, Ltd. was granted special consultative status by a recorded vote of 12 in favour to 3 against (Israel, United States, Uruguay) with 3 abstentions (Greece, India, Russian Federation) and one absent member (Burundi).

After a vote was called by the representative of Sudan, a number of speakers, including from Mauritania, South Africa, Iran and Guinea, voiced their support for the organization.  Cuba’s delegate said the organization would help to advance the process of creating an autonomous, independent State of Palestine.

Israel’s representative said that the case of that organization was one which, if not handled carefully, could lead to a precedent for the acceptance of groups with known links to terrorism.  The organization had invited a senior leader of Hamas as a guest speaker, she said, adding that accrediting the Palestinian Return Centre, Ltd. “is accrediting Hamas”, which had been designated as a terrorist group by a number of States and research institutes.  The Committee “cannot allow itself to accredit organizations with even a shred of doubt” as to the its affiliations, she said.  Sharing similar concerns, the United States’ delegate questioned the nature of the group’s activities and leadership, hence her delegation would vote against accreditation.

Speaking after the vote, the representative of the Russian Federation said that it had abstained from voting because it was in favour of the right of States to ask as many questions of an organization as necessary.  The accusations of ties to terrorism were very serious; if they were justified, they needed to be legally pursued.

On another matter, a discussion arose about the organizations African Technology Development Link and African Technical Association, about which the delegation of Pakistan had previously sent a letter to the Committee.  Pakistan’s speaker said that while African Technology Development Link had responded to the queries of the Committee, it had not fully responded to his delegation’s questions.  That organization had previously mentioned the political situation in Pakistan, using words such as “colonial Power” and “occupying regime”, he said.  “I still have my doubts as to whether this is a genuine non-governmental organization or not,” he said.  African Technical Association, which had also responded to the Committee’s query, had finally provided a physical address; however, he remained concerned that the organization had given a platform to a dissident politician from Pakistan.

To that, the representative of the United States said that the letters from the organizations raised further questions and that her delegation wished to further engage with them for answers.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 2 June, to continue its resumed session.

Special Consultative Status

The Committee recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant special consultative status to the following organizations:

Stichting Global Human Rights Defence (Netherlands);

The Palestinian Return Centre Ltd. (United Kingdom);

World Taoist Association Limited (China);

Corporación ATS Acción Técnica Social (Colombia);

Fundación Riba (Costa Rica);

The Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (Jordan);

Appui aux femmes démunies et enfants marginalisés au Kivu (Switzerland);

Association Miraisme International (Switzerland);

Canada’s National Firearms Association (Canada);

Centre for Equality Ltd. (Australia).

The Committee deferred applications of the following organizations:

Geneva Institute for Human Rights (Switzerland) — as the representative of Sudan said that his delegation had previously asked about the organization’s Government assistance and fees from the courses it held.  The group had not clearly responded to the latter; he, therefore, requested clear financial information, including a plan for the next year, from the organization.

Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health (Switzerland) — as Israel’s delegate asked for a full list of the organizations of which the group was a member.

Hokok Coalición Internacional Contra la Impunidad (Spain) — as Israel’s speaker asked about the group’s provision of social services, given that humanitarian aid was not part of the organization’s mission statement.  South Africa’s representative also asked for clarification about the group’s work against impunity.

Human Aid UK (United Kingdom) — as Israel’s delegate asked for official documentation on the results of a recent inquiry by the Charity Commission of the United Kingdom.

IDEAS Centre (Switzerland) — as Nicaragua’s speaker asked for more information about the group’s work in Latin America, in particular, what criteria it followed to decide whether it would work in a specific country.

Institute for Human Rights & Business Limited (United Kingdom) — as South Africa’s representative asked how the group envisaged ensuring accountability on business and human rights, particularly in an intergovernmental context, and Sudan’s speaker requested more information about activities in East Africa.

International Association of Independent Journalists Inc. (Canada) — as Cuba’s delegate asked for an updated list of events the organization had carried out since 2011.

Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (United States) — as Iran’s speaker said that the organization did not prove to be an NGO and was not eligible for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, as it received more than 86 per cent of its funding from Governments.  She asked the organization to list the Governments from which it received funding, and to clarify its relationship with those Governments.

Korea Human Rights Foundation (Republic of Korea) — as China’s representative said the group had defined itself as a regional organization and he, therefore, asked for written clarification on its focus of interest.  Iran’s representative asked for information about the group’s 2014 human rights project.  South Africa’s delegate also asked for clarification on the group’s participation in “annual civil society organization forums” and about its corporate social responsibility work.

Let’s Breakthrough, Inc. (United States) — as China’s speaker asked about the many references to China on the organization’s website, and said that the group had failed to respond to the Committee’s previous questions about its position on issues related to China.  South Africa’s representative asked about references to “pop culture” and “bold action” on the organization’s application.

Mittetulundusühing Fenno-Ugria Asutus (Estonia) — as China’s representative asked the group to respond to the Committee’s previous inquiry to rectify erroneous references to Taiwan and Tibet on its website.  The Russian Federation’s speaker asked about a reference to a particular group of people in the Baltic region, which was a part of the former Soviet Union.

Mother Helpage (UK) (United Kingdom) — as Iran’s delegate asked whether the group had registered offices in the 16 countries where it worked, or whether it worked through local partners.  South Africa’s speaker asked for information about a bank loan listed in the group’s financial statement.  Sudan’s representative asked about the group’s work with “post-disaster challenges such as unemployment, drug trafficking, terrorism” and other areas, which he did not feel rightly fell under the category of post-disaster challenges.  He also asked for more information on the organization’s financing and expenditures.  Cuba’s delegate said that the organization covered a wide range of activities and asked if it worked with any United Nations bodies.

Muslim Aid (United Kingdom) — as the United States’ representative asked for more information on the ongoing investigation of the group by the UK Charity Commission for non-compliance of several of its field offices.  South Africa’s speaker asked what was meant by “underperforming communities” in the organization’s application.

Muslim Hands (United Kingdom) — as Israel’s delegate asked about the organization’s large deficit and requested an updated financial statement.

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, Inc. (United States) — as Iran’s representative requested updated financial statements from the organization.

Peace Islands Institute Inc. (United States) — as China’s speaker requested written clarification about the group’s relationship with Governments and private entities.

Stichting Basug (Bangladesh Support Group) (Netherlands) — as China’s delegate, noting that the group was registered in Bangladesh, as well as in the Netherlands, asked for documentation concerning that.

Stichting Samenwerkingsverband IKV - Pax Christi (Netherlands) — as the delegate from Venezuela asked the organization for a list of the other NGOs with which the group worked.

Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests (United States) — as Iran’s speaker said there was a discrepancy on the organization’s application regarding whether it had worked with United Nations bodies, and requested more information in that regard, including planned future activities.  The representative of the Russian Federation asked how many cases had been found to date of ethical infractions perpetrated by priests.

The Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention Inc. (United States) — as Turkey’s delegate asked for more information about the organization’s planned activities in 2015 and 2016.

The Jewish Renaissance Foundation (United States) — as Nicaragua’s speaker asked for an up-to-date list of countries that the organization had visited and about plans under way for other such activities.

The Leadership Foundation (United States) — as South Africa’s representative asked if the group was a subsidiary of the International Women’s Forum, and about the group’s planned interaction with the Commission on the Status of Women and UN-Women.

The Simons Foundation (Canada) — as China’s speaker said that the group had not fully responded to a question on its application concerning methods for decision-making.  South Africa’s delegate expressed concern that the group’s president had been appointed to the Canadian delegation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference, and asked how the group maintained its independence from the Canadian Government.  Iran’s representative also asked for more information about the organization’s relationship with Governments.

USC Canada (Canada) — as Cuba’s delegate asked for a detailed list of the group’s contributions to the Rio+20 Conference, as well as food-related meetings in Rome.

Virtual Activism Incorporated (United States) — as China’s speaker asked for clarification about the countries from which the group’s members hailed.

Women Living under Muslim Laws — International Solidarity Network (United Kingdom) — as Iran’s delegate said there were several outstanding questions, including about funds received from the Government of the Netherlands, and asked for a list of other Government supporters.

Women’s Freedom Forum, Inc. (United States) — as Iran’s delegate asked for more information about the sources of the organization’s expenditures, in particular through a list of the names of the conferences it had attended.

Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (Canada) — as Nicaragua’s speaker asked for more information about the organization’s income, which came mostly from private foundations.

Youth of European Nationalities (Germany) — as the representative of the Russian Federation requested more information about the organization’s 2014 budget, including on financing received from other NGOs.

Zaka Rescue and Recovery (Israel) — as the representative of Nicaragua said that the organization’s website called it a “United Nations organization”; since the group did not yet enjoy consultative status, she asked for further clarification.

World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (United States) — as the delegate of China asked the organization to change erroneous references to Taiwan on its website.

Widows for Peace through Democracy (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Turkey asked for an updated list of the locations where the organization carried out its work.

Asociación Pro-Bienestar de la Familia Colombiana “Profamilia” (Colombia) — as the delegate of Nicaragua asked for a list of the organization’s donors.

Association Concerning Sexual Violence against Women (China) — as the representative of Cuba asked for more information on the group’s administrative expenditures.

Campanha Latino-Americana pelo Direito à Educação - CLADE Brasil (Brazil) — as the delegate from Cuba asked for more detailed information about projects in the area of education that were run in the last three years and about local partners and authorities with whom the organization worked on those projects.  The representative of Nicaragua asked if there had been any work undertaken by the organization in her country.

Global Mass Community (Jammu and Kashmir) — as the representative of India asked for more information about the organization’s income and expenditure.

Palestine Sports for Life (State of Palestine) — as the delegate of Israel asked about the group’s relationship with the Palestinian Basketball Association.

Shah Satnam Ji Green-S Welfare Force Wing (India) — as Pakistan’s speaker asked for more clarity on the organization’s revenue sources.

Social Services Trust (India) — as the representative of India asked about the organization’s work with the Indian Government.

Sri Sri J.S.M.D. Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri (India) — as the delegate of Pakistan asked for more detailed information about “large revenue” under medical and institutional fees.

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (United Kingdom) — as China’s speaker asked the organization to correct a reference to Taiwan on its website.

Review of Quadrennial Reports

The Committee took note of quadrennial reports containing submissions by the following non-governmental organizations for the years 2010 to 2013:

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.13 – 13 organizations:  Academy of Labour and Social Relations; Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa; Association of Presbyterian Women of Aoteaora, New Zealand; Bridges International; Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action; Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy; Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya; Grail; Gram Bharati Samiti; Green Asia Network; Humanity First; Integrated Development in Focus; and International Association of Ports and Harbors.

Regarding the quadrennial report of the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid, China’s delegate asked for more information about the group’s projects and partners.

On the quadrennial report of the European Union of Jewish Students, China’s speaker asked for more information on the group’s General Assembly activities in 2010.

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.14 – 15 organizations:  International Congo Aid — Smile African Children; International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB); International Council of Voluntary Agencies; International Women’s Democracy Center; Italian Association for Women in Development; JMJ Children’s Fund of Canada; Kids First Fund; LGBT Denmark — The National Organization for Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgendered People; Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development; Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights; Mercy Corps; Peace Boat; Rozan; Stichting Forest Peoples Programme; and Tiye International.

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.15 – 7 organizations:  Architectes de l’urgence; Association des jeunes pour le developpement humain et la protection de l’environnement; Association Internationale de Lutte Contre la Pauvrete et pour le Developpement (AIPED); Centre de Recherches et de Promotion pour la Sauvegarde des Sites et Monuments Historiques en Afrique; Exchange and Cooperation Centre for Latin America (Centre d’Exchanges et Cooperation pour l’Amerique Latine); Fédération Européenne des Femmes Actives au Foyer; and Tchad agir pour l’environnement 2010–2013.

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.16 — 14 organizations:  Caribbean and Latin America Trade Association; Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO); Dayemi Complex Bangladesh; Humanitarian Accountability Partnership International; Native American Rights Fund 2010–2013; Turkiye Kadin Girisimciler Dernegi; Universitas 21; Verein zur Forderung der Volkerverstandigung; Women’s Intercultural Network; World Federalist Movement; World for World Organization; World Information Transfer; World Leisure Organization, Inc.; No Questions; and Youth Empowerment Alliance, Inc.

The representative of China asked for more information on the work of the organization World Organisation Against Torture and its quadrennial report.

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.17 — 13 organizations:  African Services Committee, Inc.; African Youth Movement; Agencia Latinoamericana de Informacion (ALAI); Antioch Christian Centre; Association “For Sustainable Human Development”; Baha’i International Community; Baptist World Alliance; Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women; Centre for Development Strategy; Church World Service; CIBJO - The World Jewellery Confederation; No Questions; Local Governments for Sustainability; and Saferworld.

Regarding the organization Vital Voices Global Partnership, China’s speaker asked for more information on the organization’s work in Asia.

The representative of Cuba asked for more information about the organization Centrist Democratic International.

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.18 — 14 organizations:  Dominicans for Justice and Peace — Order of Preachers; East-West Management Institute; Health on the Net Foundation (HON); Inter-American Parliamentary Group on Population and Development; Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development; International Association for Humanitarian Medicine Brock Chisholm; International Association of Y‘s Men‘s Clubs; International Center for Research on Women (ICRW); International Chamber of Commerce; International Federation of Women Lawyers; Internet Society; Japanese Association of International Women’s Rights (JAIWR); and Leadership Watch.

Regarding the organization International Institute for Non-aligned Studies, China’s delegate said he hoped that the organization would adjust its position on Tibet.

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.19 — 14 organizations:  Association Congolaise d‘Education et de Prevention Contre des Maladies et la Drogue; Chinese Immigrants Services, Inc.; International Committee For Peace And Reconciliation; International Federation of Inspection Agencies; International Fund for Animal Welfare; Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation; National Organization of Women’s Association in the Bahamas; New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties; Organisation Marocaine des Droits Humains; Russian Academy of Natural Sciences; Tides Center; Universal Esperanto Association; World ORT Union; and World Peace and Economic Development Organization.

Regarding the organization Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe and its quadrennial report, Greece’s delegate asked for more information about the group’s participation in conferences.

The Committee took note of quadrennial reports containing submissions by the following NGOs for the years 2009 to 2012:

Report E/C.2/2015/2/Add.20 — 9 organizations:  African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies; Consumers International; Indian Movement “Tupaj Amaru”; International Air Transport Association; League of Kenya Women Voters; Lebanese Association for Popular Action (AMEL); Rural Reconstruction Nepal; Union of Luso-African-America-Asiatic Capital Cities — Uniao das cidades capitais Luso Afro Americo Asiaticas; and Yemeni Women Union.

Concerning the organization International Commission of Jurists, the representative of China hoped that the group would clarify its position on Tibet, and asked for more information on its relationships with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.

The Committee then took note of the submissions, for the years 2010-2013 contained in Report E/C.2/2015/CRP.13 — 63 organizations:  8th Day Center for Justice; AFS Inter-Cultural Programs, Inc.; Airports Council International; All-Russian Society of Disabled People; American Cancer Society 2010-2013; American Society of Safety Engineers; Association for Assistance to Families with Disabled Children; Association Marocaine pour la Promotion de la Femme Rurale; Ayuda y Solidaridad con las Ninas de la Calle; Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; Blagovest Centre of People’s Help International Public Charitable Organization; Business Council for Sustainable Energy; Centro di Ricerca e Documentazione Febbraio 74; China Disabled Person’s Federation; Christian Aid; Comité International pour le Respect et l’Application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples (CIRAC); Consortium d’appui aux actions pour la promotion et le développement de l’Afrique (CAPDA); Couple to Couple League International; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Deniz Feneri Yardimlasma ve Dayanisma Dernegi; Eco-Accord — Center for Environment and Sustainable Development.

EUROSOLAR Turkey; Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia; Fundacion Teleton Mexico AC; Global Housing Foundation (GHF); Grassroots Organisations Operating Together in Sisterhood; Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Hope for Africa; Human Resource Development Foundation; Incorvuz-XXI; Indigenous People of Africa Coordinating Committee; Indonesian Child Welfare Foundation; Institut de politique familiale; Institute for Energy and Environmental Research; Institute of Global Education; Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia; International Association for Integration, Dignity, and Economic Advancement, IDEA; International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation; International Coastal and Ocean Organization; International Commission on Workforce Development; International League for Human Rights; International PEN; International Planned Parenthood Federation, Africa Region.

International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance; International Research Foundation for Development; International Sustainable Energy Organisation for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ISEO); International Union of Psychological Science; Le Forum pour l’Integration des Migrants; Mental Disability Rights International; Miramed Institute; National Association for Resource Improvement; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; National Congress of American Indians; People’s Decade of Human Rights Education; Rainforest Foundation International; Reach Out & Care Wheels; Social Ecology Foundation; Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons; Urban Justice Center; World Federation of Trade Unions; World Organization of the Scout Movement; and World Student Christian Federation.

Regarding the organization Catholics for Choice, China’s delegate asked about the group’s participation in the Rio+20 conference.

On the organization DiploFoundation, China’s speaker asked for more information about the organization’s online training courses.

The Committee then took note of submissions for the years 2009 to 2012 contained in Report E/C.2/2015/CRP.14 — 6 organizations:  Comité français des organisations non gouvernementales pour la liaison et l’information des Nations Unies; International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations; International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations; International Justice Mission 2009-2012; Marie Stopes International; and World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations.

The Committee also took note of the quadrennial report for 2010-2013 contained in Report E/C.2/2015/CRP.10 — 1 organization:  International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

On the organization Amnesty International and its quadrennial report 2008-2011, the representative of South Africa asked what the organization had done to ensure that the Human Rights Council was “more effective”.

Regarding the organization Centrist Democratic International and its quadrennial report 2006–2009, Cuba’s speaker said that the organization had not responded to several questions raised by the Committee.

On the quadrennial report of the same organization for the period 2002-2005, the representative of Cuba said that the organization once again did not adequately respond to a question about “internal conflicts”.  In addition, the organization had stated that it had increased its membership; she wished to receive information on whether the group had established offices or registration in any of those countries.

Regarding the quadrennial report of the same organization for the period 2006–2009, Cuba’s speaker said that the organization had not provided a complete response to several questions from the Committee.

On the quadrennial report of the group Freedom House for the period 2007–2010, Cuba’s delegate asked for more information on, including a complete list of, the organization’s projects and results.

Regarding the quadrennial report of Human Rights First for the period 2007–2010, Nicaragua’s representative asked the organization for more information on its work during the period under review.

On the organization Human Rights Watch and its quadrennial report 2009–2012, China’s delegate asked if the organization had carried out any activities relevant to civil and political rights, and asked about its participation in an event on the death penalty.

With regard to the organization Kimse Yok Mu and its quadrennial report for 2010–2013, the representative of Azerbaijan asked for information about the humanitarian activities carried out by the organization during the reporting period.

On the organization Reporters Sans Frontiers International — Reporters Without Borders International and its quadrennial report 2009–2012, the delegate from Cuba asked for information about the group’s participation in a 2012 conference.

Regarding the organization Society for Threatened Peoples and its quadrennial report 2001–2004, China’s speaker asked for more information about the group’s work in and about China.

With regards to 2005-2008 quadrennial report of the same organization, the representative of China said that the group had submitted several reports about China, and asked how it had maintained accuracy in its sources.

Regarding the organization Syriac Universal Alliance and its quadrennial report 2007–2010, Turkey’s speakers asked for more information about a television station run by the group.

Name Changes

In line with their requests, the following accredited organizations were granted name changes:  Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD) to Doha International Family Institute (DIFI); The InnerCity Mission of Christ Embassy to InnerCity Mission for Children; International Catholics Organisation of the Media to International Christian Organisation of the Media (ICOM); Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement to End Human Trafficking Now; The Syriac Universal Alliance/Federation Syriaque International (SUA) to World Council of Arameans (Syriacs); International Committee for the Indians of the Americas to International Committee for the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas (Incomindios); and World Society for the Protection of Animals to World Animal Protection.

With regard to the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development, the representative of China said that he hoped the organization would correct its references to Taiwan and Tibet.

Regarding the organization The Syriac Universal Alliance, Turkey’s delegate asked for a list of countries in which the organization had carried out activities.

With regard to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, China’s delegate said that the organization had erroneously referred to Taiwan as a country on its website, and hoped it would correct it.

Suspensions

Pursuant to resolution 2008/4 of the Economic and Social Council, the following 165 NGOs were suspended for a period of one year due to their failure to provide quadrennial reports for the period 2010-2013 by 1 June 2014, despite “strenuous efforts by the NGO Branch” to remind and notify the organizations of their duties:  3D - Trade - Human Rights - Equitable Economy; A Centre for the World Religions; AAHUNG; Africa Safe Water Foundation; African American Islamic Institute; Agence d’aide a la cooperation technique et au developpement; Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme; Ain o Salish Kendra — Law and Mediation Centre; Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights; Amman Center for Human Rights Studies; Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Network (AITPN); Asian Migrant Centre (AMC); Asociación Habitat Pro; Association Européenne des Cheminots; Association Guinéenne pour la Reinsertion des Toxicomanes (AGRETO); Association de développement de Korba; Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de l’Europe; Association des Femmes Éducatrices du Mali.

Association of Former Diplomats of China; Association of Former United Nations Industry and Development Experts (AFIDE); Association of Interbalkan Women’s Cooperation Societies;  Association pour la Lutte contre le Travail des Enfants au Niger; Association pour la Promotion de l’Emploi et du Logement (A.P.E.L.); Austrian Federal Economic Chamber; Big Brothers Big Sisters International; Biogas Sector Partnership Nepal; Biopolitics International Organisation; Building and Social Housing Foundation; Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Senioren-Organisationen; CARE (Christian Action Research and Education); Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies; Canadian Race Relations Foundation; Capital Humano y Social Alternativo; Catholic International Education Office; Center for Assistance to Human Right Protection ; Center for Oceans Law and Policy (COLP); Centre d’accompagnement des alternatives locales de développement; Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology; Centre for Women the Earth the Divine.

China Association for International Science and Technology Cooperation; China Education Association for International Exchange; Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance; Conectas Direitos Humanos; Coordinadora de la Mujer; Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service; Dental Care International Foundation; ECO-ECOLO; Eco-Tiras International Environmental Association of River Keepers; Ecopeace Middle East Environmental NGO Forum; Egyptian Organization for Human Rights; Engender; Ethiopian World Federation; European Federation for Transport and Environment; European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Federation; European Space Policy Institute; European Union of Women; Flora Tristan Peruvian Women’s Center; Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan; Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute; Fundacion Alvaralice; Fundacion Democratica Italo-Americana; Fundacion UNITRAN; Fundación Cimientos; Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments; Global Alliance for Women’s Health; Global Village for Rehabilitation and Development.

Global Witness; Group of 78; Groupe pivot/Droit et Citoyenneté des femmes; Guild of Service; HELIO International; Half the Sky Foundation; Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres; Hope for the Nations; Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; Humanitarian Law Center; IPAS; Indonesian National Council on Social Welfare (INCSW); Institut de la gestion déléguée; Institute of Inter-Balkan Relations; International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI); International Association for Human Values; International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage; International Communities for the Renewal of the Earth (ICRE); International Council of Psychologists; International Energy Foundation; International Forestry Students’ Association; International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions; International Wages for Housework Campaign; International Women’s Writing Guild; International Young Catholic Students; Isigodlo Trust — South African Women in Dialogue; Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions; Justice for All — Prison Fellowship Ethiopia; Kiwanis International.

Korean Federation for Environmental Movement; LEAD International Inc. (Leadership for Environment & Development); Ladies Charitable Society; Lebanon Family Planning Association (LFPA); Les Amis de la Terre-Togo; Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany; Lighthouse International; Macedonian Center for International Cooperation; Mamta — Health Institute for Mother & Child; Mariano y Rafael Castillo Cordova Foundation; MaterCare International; Mauritius Family Planning Association; Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP); Medico International; Mehr Nuri Public Foundation; Missions3G-Gauri; Movimiento Manuela Ramos; Muslim Aid Australia; National Assembly of Youth Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NaYORA); National Association of Friendship Centres; National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (NANGO); National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; National Center for State Courts; National Confederation of Women in Equality; National Coordinator for Human Rights; National Foundation for Women Legislators; National Rural Support Programme; Network of East-West Women.

Northern Alliance for Sustainability (ANPED); Organisation des Hommes demunis et enfants orphelins pour le developpement; Organisation internationale pour la réduction des catastrophes (OIRC); Pan-African Women’s Organization; Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association of Canada; Political and Ethical Knowledge on Economic Activities; Population Reference Bureau; Population Services International; Pro Dignitate Foundation of Human Rights; Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini; Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe; Rehabilitation International; Rooftops Canada; Save Africa Concerts Foundation; Saviya Development Foundation; Seniors Españoles para la Cooperacion Técnica; Sinha Institute of Medical Science and Technology; Social Development Center; Society for Comparative Legislation; Spirituality for Kids Europe Limited; Swami Vivekanand Samaj Seva Samsthe — Sutagatti; Swedish Organisation of Disabled Persons International Aid Association (SHIA); Third World Network- Africa; UBUNTU-World Forum of Civil Society Networks; Ukrainian Non-Governmental Socio-Political Association-National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities.

Union Nationale de la Femme Tunisienne; Unione Intercontinentale Casallinghe; Vienna Institute for Development and Cooperation; Vikas Samiti; West Africa Network for Peacebuilding; Winvisible — Women with Visible and Invisible Disability; Womankind Worldwide; Women Against Rape; Women Aid Collective; Women in Law and Development in Africa; Women’s Crisis Centre; Women’s Environmental Development and Training; Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund; Women’s Political Watch; World Granny; World Road Association; and Youths for the Child’s Welfare.

Withdrawals

The consultative status of the following 85 non-governmental organizations was withdrawn by the Committee due to their failure to submit outstanding quadrennial reports:  Academy for Educational Development (AED); Actions Solidaires de Soutien aux Organisations et d’Appui aux Libertes; Adelphi Research; African Community Resource Center; Africare; Aim for Human Rights; Ambassadors for Children (AFC); America Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc.; Asian Federation of Laryngectomees Association; Association for the Study of the World Refugee Problem; Association Jeunesse Culture Loisirs Technique; Association Malienne d’Initiatives et d’Actions pour le Development; A.I.DMALI; Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP); Association pour la collaboration globale; Association pour la Protection de la Nature et de l’Environnement, Kairouan; Association pour la recherche sur la sclérose latérale amyothrophique et autres maladies du motoneurone; Association Tunisienne des Meres; Australian Reproductive Health Alliance.

Aviation sans frontiers; Center for Studies on Turkey; Centre d’Animation, de Formation, de Recherche et d’Appui au Developpement; Citizens for Decent Housing; Coalition Nationale De Guinee Pour Les Droits et La Citoyennete Des Femmes; Coordination SUD (Solidarité-Urgence-Développement); Crime Stoppers International, Inc.; Democracy Coalition Project; DIYA, The All-Ukranian Women’s People’s Democratic Association; Ecologic Institute for International and European Environmental Policy; Egyptian Red Crescent Society; Enfants du Monde — Droits de l’Homme; Ensemble Allons Dans La Paix; European Roma Rights Center; FATIMA Women’s Network; Firooznia Charity Foundation; Fondation El Kef pour le Développement Regional; Fondation Maman Henriette Conte; Fundacion de la Solidaridad y el Voluntariado de la Comunidad Valenciana; Fundación Mujeres en Igualdad; Fundacion Red Deporte y Cooperacion; GAVI Fund; Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Global Cooperation Society (GCS); Human Rights Education Associates (HREA).

Institute of Internal Auditors; INTERIGHTS, International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights; International Association of Prosecutors; International Centre for Ethnic Studies; International Foundation of Alternative Financial Institutions; International Maritime Committee; International Mediterranean Women’s Forum; International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences; International Union of Building Centres; International Union of Technical Associations and Organisations; Istanbul International Brotherhood and Solidarity Association; Kenya Tuitakayo:  Citizens Coalition for Constitutional Change; Kerala Rural Development Agency; Libera-Associazioni, nomi e numeri contro le mafie; Light and Hope Association for Blind Girls (Al Nour Wal Amal Association); Magnificat Environment Association (MEA); Mediterranean Water Institute; Mouvement pour l’abolition de la prostitution et de la pornographie et de toutes formes de violences sexuelles et discriminations sexists; National Aboriginal Forestry Association.

National Abortion Federation; National Association for Protection of Environment and Green Egypt (NAPOE); National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF); National Society for Human Rights; Navjyoti India Foundation; ORBICOM, Réseau des Chaires UNESCO en Communication; Organisation Tunisienne de l’Education et de la Famille; PARTAGE; Project Concern International, Inc.; Safe Water African Community Initiative, SWACI; Scouts Musulmans Algeriens; Society for Development of Services in Heliopolis; Survivor Corps; Synergos Institute, Inc.; Turkish Foundation for Children in Need of Protection; Union for Sustainable Return and Integrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Union Iberoamericana de Colegios y Agrupaciones de Abogados (UIBA); Women’s National Commission 81; World Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises; World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation; World Confederation of Productivity Science; World LP Gas Association; Youth Association for Habitat and Agenda 21.

Interactive Dialogue

The representative of World Taoist Association Limited said that his organization was a charitable NGO registered in Hong Kong, China, which invited participants from all over the world to take part in inter-religious dialogues and cultural exchanges.

As there were no questions for the organization, the Committee recommended granting it special consultative status.

The representative of Zaka Rescue and Recovery said that his organization worked in emergencies such as the recent earthquake in Nepal and many others.  In response to a question posed earlier this morning, he produced a letter of recommendation from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

To that organization, Cuba’s delegate asked for more information on the group’s role in disaster relief, including with regard to the new Sendai framework and raised questions about the group’s relationship with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.  Meanwhile, the representative of Venezuela asked about procedures or guidelines for addressing different kinds of humanitarian disasters and South Africa’s speaker asked what kind of activities the organization undertook in Palestine and about its funding from only one Government, Israel.  The representative of Nicaragua asked how the organization operated out of an “occupied territory”, and asked for answers in writing.

To those questions, the representative of the group responded that its staff was trained in search and rescue, as well as body recovery.  It followed international standards in its humanitarian work and undertook trainings alongside the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.  Finally, he said that his organization’s address was in West Jerusalem, which was not a contested area.

Israel’s speaker said that as the organization had fully answered all the questions, it was “troubling” that one member of the Committee was holding up the process of its consideration.

The Committee deferred the organization’s application.

Taking the floor, the representative of Peace Islands Institute said that it worked with Governments and intergovernmental organizations on issues such as women’s rights.  It had received policy reports from a number of Government ministries in that regard.  It also organized panel discussions in consultation with African Union member States.  With regard to its earlier financial deficit, he said that the issue had been resolved and that it had had a surplus in 2013.

The representative of Azerbaijan asked what types of activities it had carried out between 2004 and 2012, and requested a reply in writing.

The Committee deferred the organization’s application.