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Mr. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
18 September 1998
Dear Mr. Secretary-General:
On behalf of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative
Relationship with the United Nations, I am writing to you to express our deep dismay
over the ever-increasing restrictions imposed on NGOs during regular sessions of the
General Assembly.
For many years, NGOs in consultative status had the possibility of obtaining a
limited number of passes giving them access to the General Assembly Hall as well as
the second floor. Last year, for the first time, no passes were issued to NGOs for
access to the floor of the General Assembly Hall, although a number of passes were
still available for access to the second floor. For this session, we have been
informed that, not only will there be no passes for the second floor, but NGOs will
have to enter through the Visitors' Entrance and pass through metal detectors.
The NGO representatives who observe the General Assembly are few in number.
Typically they represent well-known and respected international organizations
whose contributions are of benefit to the United Nations. Items such as the
implementation of the World Summit on Social Development, which is considered
only in plenary, are of direct relevance to them. The proposed restrictions
on their movements would greatly hamper them in their work, particularly as a
number of meetings other than the General Assembly plenary take place on the
second floor, and NGO representatives often need to meet with, advise or
consult governmental delegates.
While we fully understand the need for stricter security during the time of
the general debate when heads of state are present, we fail to see the need for
draconian measures after this initial period.
Mr. Secretary-General, NGOs have felt encouraged and heartened by the many
declarations you and your senior staff have made on the importance of cooperation
and partnership between the United Nations and NGOs and Civil Society. The new
security measures show a widening gap between this welcome policy and what is
actually happening to dedicated NGO representatives who have been working closely
with the United Nations system. May we call upon you to take urgent steps to see
that the privileges such NGOs have enjoyed heretofore are restored? Therefore, we
respectfully request that about 40 passes be made available to CONGO officers,
NGO Committee Chairs, and key international organizations, to be allocated by the
NGO Section/DESA.
My colleagues and I would very much appreciate to meet with you personally to
discuss issues which affect NGO/UN relations. I will call your office to see when
you might be able to see us.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
With my highest consideration,
Sincerely,
Afaf Mahfouz
President
Cc: Ms. Frechette
Mr. Riza
Mr. Tharoor
Ms. Sorenson
Ms. Mezoui
Ms. Fedoroff
Ms. Louise Frechette
Deputy Secretary-General
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
Mr. Iqbal S. Riza
Chef de Cabinet
Executive Office of the Secretary-General
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
Mr. Sashi Tharoor
Director of Communication and Special Projects
Executive Office of the Secretary-General
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
Ms. Gillian M. Sorenson
Assistant Secretary-General for External Relations
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
Ms. Hanifa Mezoui
Chief, NGO Section/DESA
DC-1
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
Ms. Michele Fedoroff
NGO Section/DESA
DC-1
United Nations
New York, New York 10017
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