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NGO Review - 1996 NGO Review - 1996
An analysis by NGLS -- the UN's
Non-Governmental Liaison ServiceNovember 1996
ECOSOC CONCLUDES NGO REVIEWThe ECOSOC review of arrangements for consultation with NGOs was completed on 25 July after three years of difficult negotiations. There are two outcomes of the review: ECOSOC decision 1996/297 and ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. Go Between explains these and how NGOs can apply for consultative status with ECOSOC.
The ECOSOC decision 1996/297 recommends the General Assembly examine, at its fifty-first session, the question of the participation of NGOs in all areas of the work of the UN. ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 contains revised arrangements for NGO consultation with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as NGO participation in UN conferences. The previous arrangement for consultation was contained in ECOSOC resolution 1296 (XLIV) dating back to the year 1968.
The review ended after long, informal consultations and a last-minute cliff hanger: as the item was taken up in ECOSOC for adoption, the United States and the Russian Federation almost called for a vote on the draft decision, which could have jeopardized the entire undertaking. However, the European Union suggested ECOSOC adopt both texts simultaneously, which it did. An interpretive statement was read into the record, which stressed that the recommendation to the General Assembly falls within its competence under Article 10 of the UN charter. Delegates, UN staff and NGOs vigorously applauded when the gavel fell without the call for a vote.
Reasons for the Review
There were four main reasons for the review, according to Ambassador Ahmad Kamal (Pakistan), Chair of the working group which carried out the review. First, he said, the involvement of thousands of NGOs in the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED); second, the growth of human rights NGOs and the participation of thousands of human rights advocates in the UN Conference on Human Rights; third, NGOs contribution to humanitarian assistance in some of the worst crises around the globe; and fourth, strengthening of the international women's movement.
Provisions of the Revised NGO Arrangements
The provisions of the revised arrangements reflect these factors. One of the most significant accomplishments of the review is that it establishes the eligibility of national NGOs for consultative status, including national affiliates of international NGOs. This change came about because during the UN conference processes, governments realized that many national NGOs have an international perspective and international programmes. Their knowledge of national and/or regional conditions adds greater depth and realism to conference discussions, especially because many of these NGOs are based in developing countries and represent people in the South.
Compromise was reached on a controversial paragraph on human rights NGOs, which says they should pursue the goals of promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with the spirit of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Western, industrialized countries wanted the paragraph deleted because they felt it applied additional conditions to these NGOs. But the G-77 had wanted to highlight the importance of human rights NGOs, which it said are combatting the phenomena of colonialism, xenophobia, racism, all forms of discrimination and intolerance, ethnic cleansing and other gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Categories of NGO Consultative Status
The new arrangements retain the categories of consultative status, which distinguish different types of NGOs. The arrangements say NGOs can apply for two types of consultative status: general status is reserved for large, international NGOs that work on most of the issues on ECOSOC s agenda, while special consultative status is used for NGOs that have competence in only a few of ECOSOC s issue areas. Other NGOs that do not have or qualify for consultative status can be included on the ECOSOC roster. The roster lists NGOs that ECOSOC or the UN Secretary-General considers can make occasional and useful contributions to the work of the Council [ECOSOC] or its subsidiary bodies.
The distinction between NGOs in consultative status and NGOs on the ECOSOC roster is made in the following way: NGOs in consultative status have a political relationship with ECOSOC and therefore have rights, while NGOs on the roster do not have inherent rights. They must be invited to contribute to ECOSOC, its commissions and other subsidiary bodies, such as working groups. The rights of NGOs in general and special consultative status include the right to designate authorized representatives to be present at public meetings, to submit written statements, and to make oral presentations.
NGOs with general status have the right to place items on the agenda of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, and they have the right to address public meetings of the council. NGOs in special status can only address ECOSOC in the absence of a subsidiary body that is dealing with the same topic. No provision is made for NGOs on the roster to address ECOSOC; they must be invited to submit written statements in ECOSOC and make oral and/or written statements in its subsidiary bodies. The resolution also includes standard arrangements for accrediting NGOs to participate in UN conferences. In the past, the accreditation process was determined separately for each conference.
The fifty-first General Assembly will take up ECOSOC's recommendation on NGO participation in all areas of the UN's work. Ambassador Ismail Razali (Malaysia) will be President of the assembly. ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 goes into effect immediately. Its first application will be in the resumed session of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs on 26-30 August.
Applying for Consultative Status
The process of applying for consultative status has been streamlined. The ECOSOC Committee on NGOs, which reviews applications, now meets at least annually and usually in the first few months of the year. The committee then forwards the list of NGOs recommended for accreditation for final approval to the substantive session of ECOSOC, which meets in July.
NGOs interested in applying for consultative status should contact the NGO Section, DPCSD, Room DC1-1076, United Nations, New York NY 10017 USA. Fax +1-212/963 4968. The deadline for applications to be considered at the 1998 session of the NGO committee is 1 June 1997.
The texts of ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 and ECOSOC decision 1996/297 are NGLS, Room 6015, 866 UN Plaza, New York NY 10017, USA. Telephone +1-212/963 3125, Fax +1-212/963 8712.
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