Meeting of the Chairperson of the Sub-Commission with NGO Representatives

Wednesday 13th August 2003-08-13

Mrs Warzazi stated that she was pleased with the productivity of the 55th session of the Sub-Commission. She noticed that the right of reply of the countries had diminished, which shows that the governments have started acknowledging the NGOs. The relationship between NGOs and government appears to be ameliorating over time.

Another positive point is the diminished number of resolutions. Instead of about 53 as usual, this year there are only about 44. She was also satisfied with the quality and the themes of the reports. New subjects are brought out, better reports are written, a lot of subjects on women are appearing, interesting comments are made during the interactive dialogs. A lot of NGOs have contributed to the work of the Sub-Commission and there was a positive cooperation, positive comments, suggestions and propositions. Mrs Warzazi insisted on the fact that the most positive point was the real dialog, that everybody can bring something, without regard to the hierarchy.

Mrs Poncini (International Federation of University Women) outlined that the interactive dialog was concentrated on the Experts and suggested that an interaction between Governments, NGOs and Experts should take place (for example, by inserting comments from the Experts between NGOs' interventions).

Another NGO Representative asked the Sub-Commission to monitor the mainstreaming about the issue of children, who are underprivileged because of the increasing privatisation.

An OMCT (World Organisation about Torture) Representative expressed concern about the "interactive way" that had been the rule for this session of the Sub-Commission.

The Director for Geneva for Human Rights of the SAHRDC (South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre) said that it is right to say that the interactive dialog is a good point but is nevertheless at the expense of Item 2 (Violations of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom). He also made a remark about some NGOs that break the rules and do not respect the Chair. Some NGOs were there only present at the sub-commission for provocation purposes. Some are supported by governments, which only send them to the Sub-Commission in order to attack other governments.

In response, Ms. Warzazi said that all the NGOs should demonstrate solidarity. They have to take the responsibility to confront NGO reps if they are being prejudicial or confrontational with other NGOs.

One member of the session asked how NGOs can concretely facilitate the work of the Chair. In order to help her to prepare her speech to the CHR about the Sub-Commission, Mrs Warzazi asked if the NGOs could send her their recommendations, list of complaints and list of solutions (without extremism in their claims

Thereafter, a few of other NGOs Representatives asked for an increased interaction between the Experts and themselves during plenary sessions.

After a few more comments, Mrs Warzazi closed the meeting, promising to try and give the NGOs two hours of direct interactive dialog with the members of the Sub-Commission if they finish their work ahead of time.

By: Melvina ARAMAN

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