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FORUM: Human Rights Sub-Commission 2        

QUESTION OF: Measures by the UN to better support Non-Governmental Organisations’ work

MAIN SUBMITTER: Trinidad and Tobago

CO-SUBMITTERS: Afghanistan, Barbados, Canada, Liberia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Myanmar, Oman, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Switzerland, UNDEF, UNHCHR UN Women

THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION,

Fully aware of the crucial role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in addressing humanitarian crises, promoting human rights, and fostering sustainable development,

Recalling previous UN resolutions that emphasize partnerships with civil society and NGOs as essential to achieving global goals,

Reaffirming the need for stronger coordination and support mechanisms to enhance the efficiency and impact of NGO operations,        

1. Calls upon Member States to allow Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to provide aid to countries in need or populations under authoritarian and/or terrorist-run regimes, avoiding corruption via communication with UN mitigators, and by taking the following precautions:

1. limiting aid given to recognized terrorist regimes for humanitarian and infrastructure purposes, including food, medical supplies, clean water, and shelter, excluding aid which directly or indirectly supports the operational capabilities of the governing entity
2. implementing robust monitoring mechanisms established to ensure that aid reaches the intended civilian population and is not diverted for military or political purposes such as:

1. deploying UN ambassadors to countries that have received such aid by NGOs to supervise the application of the aid and witness the benefits it has brought to the people
2. requiring leadership of countries given said aid to provide a monthly report on expenditures

3. ensuring the provision of aid complies with international law, including sanctions regimes and counterterrorism financing regulations, such as the United Nations (UN) financial advisor and UN mediator, the National banks and federal savings associations, while prioritizing the protection of human life and dignity
4. communicating and engaging with local communities to assess their needs independently of the governing entity or terrorist organizations, ensuring that assistance addresses the most urgent humanitarian concerns
5. obtaining permission from the leaders of terrorist organizations/authoritarian regimes to allow for aid;

2. Recommends that NGOs are as transparent as possible in their communication, implementation of policies, organization of funding, and general internal processes by:

1. establishing clear financial procedures and policies for the NGOs:

1. which will be done by defining the financial procedures and policies, with these guidelines serving as a blueprint for the management of aid
2. the policies will be clearly shown to the NGOs implementing the policies set

1. ensuring that NGOs are transparent in taking accountability by:

1. enforcing policies by reducing UN funding to NGOs which fail to comply with the ones established in subclause a, as found by above monitoring mechanisms
2. introducing further penalties in extreme or repeated cases;

3. Asks member states to provide legal protections under the UN code of conduct and safeguards for NGOs, particularly those operating in conflict zones or under oppressive regimes, thus prohibiting governments from enacting laws that criminalize legitimate NGOs as classified by the UN, activities or subject them to unreasonable restriction by promoting partnerships between local governments, the private sector, and NGOs to create sustainable solutions for community development;

4. Requests the implementation of innovative solutions, including:

1. the creation of digital tools and platforms to assist NGOs in resource allocation, project tracking, and impact assessment so as to ensure they align with the legal restrictions of member states they operate in
2. leveraging partnerships with technology companies to provide NGOs with the tools necessary for data collection, communication, and outreach
3. expanding existing UN mechanisms to include NGO voices in policymaking processes;

5. Encourages member nations to recognize and advocate for the essential contributions of NGOs, ensuring that they have the resources, freedom, and opportunities needed to address global challenges effectively;

6. Urges the UN to develop measures that better support NGOs by:

1. encouraging the establishment of centralized UN-NGO coordination platforms in the form of dedicated online pages and biannual meetings to refine communication and collaboration
2. supporting capacity-building programs that provide NGOs with technical assistance, leadership training, and access to best practices
3. facilitating access to financial resources through grants, fundraising initiatives and reduced administrative barriers.