No hunger, no persecution, no war – if all the states and citizens which signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would adhere to its content we would live together in peace and dignity. However, the rights claimed in the Declaration are violated every day – sixty years after the Declaration was adopted, we perceive that the principle of equal rights and dignity is far from being realized for millions of human beings. Yet how can Human Rights be implemented more effectively? One answer given on the 61st UNO/DPI conference in Paris: strengthen the partnership between the UN and civil society actors, especially non- governmental organizations (NGOs).
Particularly since their resolute conduct at the UN conference concerning environment and development in Rio in 1992, NGOs are regarded as an indispensable building stone of a global civil society. In 1998 former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan said: “(…) Peace and prosperity cannot be achieved without partnerships involving governments, international organisations, the business community and civil society. In today’s world, we depend on each other.” When speaking at the Opening Session of the conference Koichira Matsuura, Director General of the UNESCO, stresses the same point: The task of NGOs is to “alert, inform, testify and support.” It is NGOs who would move constantly forward in their human rights efforts.
Passion, energy, participation
However, NGOs aren’t elected representatives, so what can they actually do? “A really good mechanism is the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)”, remarks Brian Bond, representative of Edmund Rice International. “Every four years the UN publishes a report on the human rights practices in all UN-member-States in the world.” As well as member states and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), NGOs are allowed to hand in information.
Apart from that, many organizations write their own reports, disseminate newsletters and pressure governments by their international scope. With the Internet as a medium, it is moreover possible to work across political barriers and geographic borders, which makes it much easier to exchange views and share information. Amnesty International, as one of the biggest NGOs, is just one example: With more than 1.8 million members in over 160 countries they are often one of the first to blow the whistle. This can force governments to conform to international human rights standards. Furthermore, NGOs contribute to a greater transparency within the UN-system. “We cannot oblige states to take action. But as mostly independent actors from states’ facilities, we can build up pressure and ask uncomfortable questions”, says Laurence Le Moing, Director Communication of Initiatives et Changement France. She would describe NGOs as both: advocates and watchdogs for those who can not speak up for themselves.
Additionally about 3.000 NGOs have a consultative status to the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and (depending on their status) are therefore entitled to speak at the Councils meetings. But why build up a strong partnership with the United Nations? In Brian Bonds opinion you influence most by working through the UN. “You can address governments in another way”, he explains, “That’s also why we have our bureau near the United Nations office in Geneva.” In Le Moings opinion, it is generally important to work in partnerships. “Otherwise you haven’t got an impact on decisions”, she says.
However, many people call for more interaction between the different organizations and their programmes. “NGOS are not perfect. We too have to act strategically if we want to change something”, says Le Moing when asked about what they could improve. Taking one’s opinion as the only truth is another thing she perceives as a threat. Ingrid Srinath, CIVICUS Secretary General agrees: “Many Civil society structures are not coordinating their work. But if you work independently, then you sometimes undo what other NGOs put up.” So should there be a code of conduct? Brian Bond smiles and says: “Just be accurate in what you say and maintain your independence. Otherwise nobody will listen”
By: Ann-Katrin Siekemeier
