Amendment No. 1 | Doc. 13940 | 27 January 2016

How to prevent inappropriate restrictions on NGO activities in Europe?

Signatories: Mr Rónán MULLEN, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Lord Donald ANDERSON, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Nigel EVANS, United Kingdom, EC ; Mr Terry LEYDEN, Ireland, ALDE ; Mr Pieter OMTZIGT, Netherlands, EPP/CD ; Mr Phil WILSON, United Kingdom, SOC

Origin - 2016 - First part-session

In the draft recommendation, after paragraph 1.5, insert the following paragraph:

"revise the Council of Europe rules for participatory status for international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), as set out in Resolution Res(2003)8, to provide for an open, clear and transparent application procedure for INGOs, and to provide an appropriate and impartial appeal process where such applications are refused;

invite the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to ensure that the Institutions of the Council of Europe, in particular the Civil Society Division, appreciate and respect the work of INGOs in the human rights field by affording such INGOs "participatory status as an INGO" at the Council of Europe when requested, where objective and impartial scrutiny of such application discloses no reason to refuse the same."

Explanatory note

The Council of Europe accredits and provides for the participation of INGOs, as provided for by Resolution Res(2003)8. It is believed that there are significant failings in the accreditation process, including the lack of appeal process where applications are rejected an application. This process must be transparent and beyond reproach.