What's New

A placard for civil society members at a meeting of the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations

A UN Committee charged with allowing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to gain greater access to the UN continued its bi-annual session on May 23, 2017 by blocking NGOs that promote human rights from gaining UN accreditation. Members of the UN NGO Committee include countries where NGOs do not have freedom of association, such as Iran and Cuba.

It was, therefore, no accident that Iran blocked accreditation for a British NGO called the International Organization to Preserve Human Rights Limited. According to the NGO's website, the organization conducts interviews, collects information, and reveals "information regarding the crimes committed by the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran" relating to "women's rights, rights of religious- and ethnic minorities and students." Iran blocked their application by asking what the reason was behind a recent name change; the mere question forces its application to be delayed at least another six months until the next session in January 2018.

Also blocked was the American Jewish World Service, which among its other areas of work, promotes civil and political rights to ensure government accountability. In a favorite tactic used by undemocratic states on the Committee against Jewish NGOs, Cuba blocked the application by asking a budgetary question. The question manufactured this time was how the NGO could carry out projects with a $3 million budget deficit. In fact, such a deficit amounts to less than 6% of the organization's more than $58 million in revenue, which happens to be less than that of Cuba's national deficit standing at over 8% of its national GDP.

Iran and Cuba Block UN Accreditation for NGOs Promoting Human Rights Development

A pipe bomb built by a Palestinian terrorist (File photo)

For the second time in a month, a minor arrived at the Samaria military court with pipe bombs strapped onto his body.

The minor and an additional suspect were arrested by Israel's Border Police and the military police, in the Menashe Division.

The two suspects aroused the officers' concern when they were required to pass through a security check. The metal detectors went off, and a search of the suspects' bodies found that one of the suspects carried two pipe bombs on his person.

A Border Police sapper was called to neutralize the explosives.

Both the minor and adult suspects are residents of the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Jenin.

They have been arrested and taken for further questioning.

Two weeks ago, a suspect with two pipe bombs was caught at the same security checkpoint, attempting to enter the area and harm security personnel.

"Once again, the officers' alertness brought about the arrest of those who wanted to harm the security forces," a Border Police spokesman said. "Together with the IDF and other security agencies, we are investing many resources into securing the court."

Two Palestinians with Pipe Bombs Strapped on, Including a Minor, Arrested Before Entering Israeli Court Document

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