Religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide has expressed its disappointment at a UN decision to reject the organisation’s application for official accreditation.
The UK-based organisation had applied for consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council – which would give it access to key human rights advocacy platforms including the Human Rights Council and General Assembly – in 2009 but on 3rd February, the UN’s Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations voted 11 to 4 (with abstention and three absent) against the application.
CSW has described the decision – made after a vote was called by Greece following years of delays – as “highly questionable” and notes that among those states which voted against the application were China, Cuba and India. They said the UK Mission to the UN will be appealing the decision.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive, said the organisation was “extremely disappointed” by the NGO committee’s decision.
“It is deeply concerning that the UN Committee on NGOs, the very entity which is tasked to facilitate NGOs access to the UN, is instead actively blocking civil society access to the UN. We believe that this decision is effectively an attempt to silence CSW and undermine the promotion of freedom of religion or belief within the UN system.”
Mr Thomas said CSW was “deeply grateful” to Greece, Israel, Uruguay and the US who had voted to support our application and “warmly welcomed” the support of the UK Mission to the UN and their intention to appeal the decision.
