Non-governmental organisations working for the vulnerable are prevented from gaining representation at the United Nations by a committee dominated by countries with repressive regimes said a collective group of NGOs on Tuesday.
Several organisations have expressed concern with regards to the questioning and intimidation they face when dealing with the UN committee on non-governmental organisations, to seek accreditation to gain official NGO status at the United Nations.
The UN committee on non-governmental organisations, is made up of countries including Cuba, China, Russia, Pakistan and Qatar.
Last month, Freedom Now, which works with prisoners of conscience around the world, secured official NGO status after a 6 year negotiation process that required intervention from US Ambassador Samantha Power to finally see it settled.
The Felege Guihon International, organisation that works in the Horn of Africa, said that it was forced to spend significant amount son its budget on flights to New York and hospitality to entertain UN committee members during a negotiation process to gain accreditation in 1999.
A spokesperson for the UN told the Guardian that “well-established institutionalised processes to promote encourage and accommodate civil society participation in all major UN events,” were present.