CONGO Committee on Sub-committee on Freedom of Religion and Belief

Geneva

Description

The committee is established as a sub-committee of the CONGO Special Committee on Human Rights and aims to promote the fundamental freedom of religion or belief by supporting and co-ordinating NGO activities so as to help uphold UN standards.

In particular the committee seeks to follow the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, for example in arranging hearings at the time of meetings of the Commission on Human Rights.

Mission Statement

The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Geneva)* aims at protecting and promoting the freedom of religion or belief through the United Nation's mechanisms and instruments as well as at supporting and coordinating activities of Non-Governmental Organisations so as to help to uphold UN standards and to implement its programmes in this field.

Activities of the Committee in order to achieve these aims might include, inter alia:

• Co-operating with the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief by submitting reliable information and recommendations as well as by assisting him in the assessment of the implementation of his final recommendations;
• Advocating that governments, that have not yet done so, offer a standing invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to visit their country and guarantee him full and free access;
• Facilitating the preparation of joint written or oral statements to be presented to ECOSOC or to one of its subsidiaries, or to human rights treaty bodies;
• Contributing to the discussion and formulation of international human rights standards and instruments on the subject of freedom of religion or belief, such as a Convention on the Freedom of Religion or Belief;
• Approaching the delegates to the Commission on Human Rights so as to submit and adopt resolutions concerning countries where violations of freedom of religion or belief persist;
• Assisting UN experts, in particular those of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, the Working Group on Minorities and the Human Rights Committee, in their work for the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief;
• Contributing to international conferences that promote tolerance and respect for the right of freedom of religion or belief, and incorporating progress achieved at past conferences;
• Continuing consultations with representatives and exponents of world religions and beliefs on the role of the United Nations in seeking the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief; and
• Addressing in appropriate fora such question as the inter-relationship between the enjoyment of the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief and other human rights, or the approach of different religions and beliefs to human rights.

NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Geneva)


Rules (By laws)
Adopted in accordance with the rules of the Special Committee of NGOs on Human Rights)
(as adopted on 18 June 2002)

The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Geneva) (hereafter: the Committee) operates formally as a Sub-Committee to the Special Committee of NGOs on Human Rights (Geneva), which inter alia makes budgetary provisions for the Committee.

It reports on a regular basis to CONGO as well as to the Special Committee.

Membership
Membership is open to NGOs having consultative status with United Nations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Other NGOs may be welcomed to join the Committee as observers and can participate in the discussions. Board members must represent an NGO in the Committee, that is member of CONGO.

Structure

1. The Committee
2. Ad hoc Working Groups
3. The Bureau

Duties
The Committee meets at least three times a year. It elects the officers and creates ad-hoc working groups as necessary and appropriate. It takes decisions on matters within the scope of the Committee's mission statement. For special activities, the Committee may raise its own funds.

Ad-hoc Working Groups carry out the mandate given to them by the Committee. They are accountable and report back to the Committee.

The Bureau of the Committee consists of the following officers:
The President, a Vice-President and a Secretary.

Members of the Bureau, though representing their organisation in the Committee, serve in their personal Capacity.


Voting
The Committee's decisions are adopted in principle by consensus between its members. Where it is necessary to vote, each member organisation shall have one vote. Observers and absentee members do not have the right to vote.


Election of the Bureau
The officers of the Bureau are elected every three years . They can be re-elected for another term.

Duties of the Bureau
The Bureau carries out the decisions taken by the Committee on matters within the scope of its mission statement. When such matters arise between meetings that must be acted upon immediately, the Bureau will take the necessary action and report it at the next meeting of the Committee. The Bureau meets as often as it deems necessary.


Duties of the Officers
The President organises the work of the Bureau and conducts the meetings of the Committee.

The Vice-President shares in the organisation of the work and the moderation of meetings as appropriate.

The Secretary takes the minutes of the Committee and sends them out promptly in English; prepares the agenda with the President and sends it out in due time before each meeting; keeps the membership list up to date; acts as Treasurer as necessary.


Resolutions and Statements
If agreement is reached on a resolution and statement on any substantive issue at a meeting of the Committee, it should be clearly stated that it is a resolution/statement of the named NGOs which support it and not of the Committee.


Amendments
A proposal to amend these rules may be made by at least three member organisations.

A proposed amendment shall be notified to the Bureau in time for it to be circulated by the Board to all member organisations of the Committee so as to be received with the agenda of its next meeting.