In historic votes, it
recommended special consultative status to two organizations supporting
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, the first time
since 2008.
During the resumed session, the Committee – for the second and third
time in its history – recommended special consultative status to two gay
and lesbian civil society groups.
On 24 May,
the Committee recommended
special consultative status to the national-based Australian Lesbian Medical Association, which advances both lesbian health professionals’ visibility and lesbian health in general.
special consultative status to the national-based Australian Lesbian Medical Association, which advances both lesbian health professionals’ visibility and lesbian health in general.
The organization had faced postponement for seven consecutive
sessions and had answered 54 questions posed to it over the years.
The
Committee approved recommendation
by vote – 9 in favour to 6 against, with 2 abstentions.
Following the vote, several Members of the Committee expressed support for the decision.
by vote – 9 in favour to 6 against, with 2 abstentions.
Following the vote, several Members of the Committee expressed support for the decision.
The representative of Belgium
underscored that the Association, as one of the oldest on the list of
deferred organizations, was a “victim of unfair treatment and
discrimination” by the Committee.
On 28 May,
the Committee recommended
special consultative status to a gay civil society group, the Austrian organization, Homosexuelle Initiative Wien,
following a vote of 9 in favour to 6 against, with 2 abstentions.
special consultative status to a gay civil society group, the Austrian organization, Homosexuelle Initiative Wien,
following a vote of 9 in favour to 6 against, with 2 abstentions.
The
representative of the United States said that it was a “monumental
achievement” to approve consultative status for an organization that had
been deferred since 2007, while Bulgaria’s delegate pointed out that
the decision illustrated the Committee moving away from past
“discriminatory practices.”
Rather, such approval, which had been a rare
event, was now demonstrating the establishment of a new pattern with
regard to civil society groups in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender community.
“The decision this week by the Committee on Non-Governmental
Organizations to recommend consultative status to two organizations
representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is a
triumph in the ongoing struggle to advance human rights and enhance the
involvement of those working on sexual orientation and gender identity
at the UN,”
Michelle Evans of International Service for Human Rights said.
“With consultative status, these groups can better serve LGBT
communities by sharing information and analysis of the abuses and
discrimination LGBT people face around the world, and by advocating for
their rights in UN spaces,”
Ms. Evans added.
The 19-member Committee recommends that the Council grant general,
special or roster status, in accordance with such criteria as the
applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.
Organizations
enjoying general and special status can attend the Council’s meetings
and circulate statements, while those with general status can, in
addition, address meetings and propose agenda items.
Roster-status NGOs
can only attend meetings.
During the meeting, the Committee also addressed the increases in
workload, with several delegates saying it was challenging to address
all the applications it receives.
Technical and staff problems had
affected workflow, resulting in a delay reviewing cases and a growing
backlog, the delegate of Turkey pointed out.
There were concerns, as
well, that large numbers of organizations applying for the first time
could end up being deferred.
Members stressed that the Committee had a great responsibility
towards the United Nations and civil society. Further, an increase in
workload required an increase in resources and time.
With approximately
200 more applications than the previous session, a thorough
comprehensive discussion of working methods was needed rather than a
piecemeal solution, the United States’ representative said.
Members of the NGO Committee for the period 2011-2014 are:
Belgium,
Bulgaria, Burundi,
China, Cuba,
India, Israel,
Kyrgyzstan,
Morocco,
Mozambique,
Nicaragua,
Pakistan, Peru,
Russian Federation,
Senegal,
Sudan,
Turkey,
United States of America, and
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