United Nations, New York – Representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) attending the second Preparatory Committee (Prepcom II) of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in New York have called for the accreditation of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT).

Although the Summit Secretariat recommended ICT’s accreditation in UN document E/CN.17/2002/PC.2/16 after evaluating ICT’s application, China has objected on political grounds.

In a joint statement, the NGOs said ICT meets the criteria set by the WSSD for accreditation and continued, “Recognizing the value of including the voices, experiences and perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders committed to sustainable development, we call on government delegates to respect and defend ICT’s right to participate in the WSSD.”

The statement called on governments to honor their own declaration that the summit be open to all those who share a commitment to making sustainable development a global reality, and reasserted that accreditation should be based on the applicants’ “relevance and competence in the field of sustainable development.”

Among the signatories are Green Peace (USA and International); EarthJustice, USA; Temple of Understanding, New York; Center for International Environment Law, Washington, D.C; International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centres, New York; Women’s Environment and Development Organisation (WEDO); International Institute for Sustainable Future Association of World Citizens; Millennium Peoples Assembly Network; Asian Women’s Caucus.

The NGOs condemned China for misrepresenting ICT’s charter and position. The statement said, “China’s objection to ICT’s participation is not based on the merits, but rather is a reflection of political animosity towards a human rights organization. Exclusion of an otherwise-qualified NGO on the basis of politics would denigrate the spirit and objectives of the World Summit.”

The statement called on governments to defend the rights of groups like the International Campaign for Tibet to participate in the summit. The statement concluded, “We call on government delegates to defend the right of participation of qualified NGOs in the World Summit. Agenda 21 recognizes that NGOs are ‘Major Groups’ that are critical partners in the quest for sustainable development. We urge government delegations and the NGO community to support the inclusive spirit of the Earth Summit and to allow ICT to participate.”

The Prepcom II is expected to vote on ICT’s accreditation issue on the morning of February 8.

NGO Statement in support of the International Campaign for Tibet’s Accreditation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development

“Inclusiveness is the hallmark of Agenda 21…Likewise, preparations for the Johannesburg Summit include all groups committed to implementing the goals of sustainable development.”

— from the website for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

The undersigned Non-governmental Organizations hereby state their support for the accreditation of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) to participate in the World Summit for Sustainable Development, and in PrepComs leading up to the Summit. The Summit has been declared open to all those who share a commitment to making sustainable development a global reality, and accreditation is supposed to be based on the applicants’ “relevance and competence in the field of sustainable development.” ICT meets these criteria. Recognizing the value of including the voices, experiences and perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders committed to sustainable development, we call on government delegates to respect and defend ICT’s right to participate in the WSSD.

The International Campaign for Tibet works to promote the interconnected principles of respect for human rights, environmental protection and stewardship, economic justice, social development and cultural integrity for the people of Tibet. ICT has 13 years experience working on environmental, development, human rights, social and cultural issues in Tibet. ICT publishes a newsletter entitled Tibetan Environment and Development News, through which it regularly reports on the environmental situation in Tibet, and it has recently launched an Environmental Rights Initiative to emphasize the right of Tibetans to be involved in decisions about resource management that are critical to sustainable development.

China’s objection to ICT’s participation is not based on merits, but rather is a reflection of political animosity towards a human rights organization. Exclusion of an otherwise-qualified NGO on the basis of politics would denigrate the spirit and objectives of the World Summit. It is important to note that China also sought to block ICT’s participation in last year’s World Conference Against Racism, a multi-stakeholder discussion of issues that are of critical importance to a more sustainable, just and peaceful world. In that situation, government delegates voted overwhelmingly in favor of ICT’s right to participate in the Racism Conference.

The Chinese objection is premised on the alleged grounds that ICT is engaged in ‘splittist’ activities. In fact, ICT’s mandate prohibits it from taking a position on political questions surrounding Tibet, though ICT does support the right of peoples to self-determination, a principle enshrined in the UN Charter and in the International Covenants on Human Rights.

We call on government delegates to defend the right of participation of qualified NGOs in the World Summit. Agenda 21 recognizes that NGOs are ‘Major Groups’ that are critical partners in the quest for sustainable development. We urge government delegations and the NGO community to support the inclusive spirit of the Earth Summit and to allow ICT to participate.