By Arul Louis,
United Nations : Applications from five Indian non-governmental organisations for special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) were put on hold Monday after Pakistan raised issues with their requests in three cases and India in two.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations recommended 16 organisations for special consultative status — none from India — and deferred action on the status of 17 others.
Consultative status gives NGOs access to the ECOSOC and related organisations to the UN’s human rights mechanisms and to special events organised by the president of the General Assembly. Over 4,000 NGOs have consultative status.
Pakistan raised questions about the funding and income statements of Eurasia Reiyukai, which according to its website, is headquartered in Siliguri in India and promotes the teaching of Buddha and the Reiyukai movement, which originated in Japan. It also operates in Nepal.
Another organisation that faced questions from Pakistan about its funding was the Disease Management Association of India. Based in Mumbai, the NGO says on its website that it brings together all the stakeholders in healthcare on one platform. It lists Associated Chambers of Commerce of India among its partners.
Pakistan questioned why Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrutik Sangh had registered itself as an Indian national organisation and asked for more information about its monitoring and evaluation. The Pune-based NGO says on its web site that it works on cultural and educational activities for children and youth and runs “global integrity development” programmes.
According to a UN summary of the committee meeting, India questioned whether the Human Rights Sanrakshan Sansthaa was a national or an international organisation and asked for clarification about the role of government officials in its functioning and about its membership. The organisation says on Facebook that it is based in New Delhi.
India also questioned whether The India Water Foundation had undertaken any activities in neighbouring countries. On its web site, the foundation says its goal is to create “a heightened public awareness” about “the vital role water plays in our daily lives”. It says its head office is in New Delhi and also has a regional office in Varanasi.
(Arul Louis can be contacted at [email protected])