May 19, 2007News: U.N. Committee Defers Consultative Status to 3 LGBT NGO's
By vanrozenheim
(UN) - The UN Committee on NGO's decided to defer to the next session the applications of Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights; Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales y Bisexuales; Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas e Transgêneros.
The Committee took action on the deferred application for consultative status of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights, rejecting a motion to close that application by a vote of 7 in favour (Burundi, China, Egypt, Guinea, Qatar, Russian Federation, Sudan) to 7 against (Colombia, India, Israel, Peru, Romania, United Kingdom, United States), with 2 abstentions (Pakistan, Turkey).
Pakistan’s representative, speaking in explanation before that action, said that by voting on whether to close the application of an NGO that was still in dialogue with the Committee was an unprecedented act that Pakistan did not support.
The United Kingdom’s representative echoed that sentiment, saying there was no credible reason for such an unprecedented move. The NGO in question would add an important voice to the United Nations. The United Kingdom would vote against the proposal to close the NGO’s file.
India’s representative said it would treat the vote as if the Committee was voting to reject its application and abstain accordingly.
Romania’s representative said it would also abstain.
Turkey’s representative said it would abstain, saying that closing an application could undermine resolution 1996/13 and compel the Committee to discuss that resolution in the future.
Israel’s representative said it was important to promote civil society worldwide and his delegation would, therefore, vote against the decision to close the applications.
The United Kingdom’s speaking in explanation of position after the action, expressed regret over the decision, saying his delegation would continue to work for the rights of gays and lesbians in the United Nations.
Sweden’s representative also expressed regret, saying the NGO did very good work that contributed to United Nations principles.
Similarly, by a vote of 7 in favour (Colombia, Israel, Peru, Romania, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States) to 8 against (Burundi, China, Cuba, Egypt, Guinea, Russian Federation, Qatar, Sudan), with 3 abstentions (Angola, India, Pakistan), the Committee rejected the Jewish National Fund’s application.
