The Non-Governmental Organisations Committee of the UN Economic Social Council (ECOSOC) on Thursday voted against granting the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) a consultative status.
The resolution not to grant the status, was passed in a vote of six in favour, 10 against while three abstained.
Those who voted for the resolution, are Greece, Guinea, Israel, U.S.Uruguay and Mauritania.
Those whp voted against are Azerbaijan, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa,Sudan, Venezuela, Burundi, China and Cuba while e India, Iran and Turkey abstained.
Without such status, CPJ is unable to access UN bodies and processes, notably the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where accredited NGOs can deliver a counter-narrative to states.
NAN reports that CPJ’s applied in 2012 for a status to be granted it.
In his reaction, CPJ Executive Director, Mr Joel Simon, said it was sad that the UN, which has taken up the issue of press freedom through Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, has denied accreditation to CPJ, which has deep and useful knowledge that could inform decision making.
“A small group of countries with poor press freedom records are using bureaucratic delaying tactics to sabotage and undermine any efforts that call their own abusive policies into high relief.”
NAN reports that the he 19-member Committee vets applications submitted by non-governmental organisations, recommending general, special or roster status on the basis of such criteria as the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.
Organisations who have general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items.
Organisations with roster status can only attend meetings.