Freedom Now wins UN bid despite Russian, Kazakh opposition
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 July 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Freedom Now wins UN bid despite Russian, Kazakh opposition, 21 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee95d9e.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 21, 2015
South African Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu is honorary chairman of the U.S.-based nonprofit group and had pleaded with committee members to reverse their previous vote and give the group access to UN premises and conferences.
The United Nations has approved accreditation for Freedom Now, which works to free prisoners of conscience around the world, in a victory for the United States and a defeat for Russia, Kazakhstan, and other opponents.
The parent body of the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations voted 29 to 9 on July 20 to grant Freedom Now's request after the committee last month rejected its bid for consultative status at the world body.
The nine countries voting against were Bolivia, China, Russia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Sudan, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
"Freedom Now is anathema to certain member states because its lawyers work to try to free those unjustly imprisoned on the basis of their political, religious, or other beliefs," U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said.
South African Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu is honorary chairman of the U.S.-based nonprofit group and had pleaded with committee members to reverse their previous vote and give the group access to UN premises and conferences.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
