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

Wednesday 13th August 2003-08-13

The Director for Geneva for Human Rights of the SAHRDC (South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre) explained that interactive dialogue is a good idea, but may be at the expense of Item 2 (Violations of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom). The Director also made a remark about several NGOs that are breaking rules and do not respect regulations and comments made by the Chair. He explained that some of the NGOs are actually supported by governments. These governments only send the NGOs to the Sub-Commission to attack the ideas and suggestions of another government.

Mrs Poncini (International Federation of University Women) emphasized that the interactive dialog was concentrated on the Experts and suggested that an interaction between Governments, NGOs and Experts should take place.

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

In response, Ms. Warzazi stated that NGOs must demonstrate solidarity. They have to take the responsibility of confronting their fellow NGO reps if they engage in discriminatory and prejudicial tendencies against other NGOs.

Furthermore, Mrs Warzazi said that if NGOs want to offer a recommendation to the Sub-Commission, these organization reps must approach the Experts that are most likely to understand and help them.

One participant of the session asked how NGOs could facilitate the work of the Chair. Mrs Warzazi asked NGOs to send her their recommendations, list of complaints and list of solutions in order to help her preparation of a report (of the Sub-Commission) to the CHR.

A few of other NGOs Representatives asked also for an increased interaction between the Experts and themselves during plenary sessions.

By: Melvina ARAMAN

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