Sixth Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development 

31 October 2022 - 02 November 2022 

Item 5 (c) of the Provisional Agenda

Engagement with Civil Society in Support of the Right to Development

Statement of the Association Ma´onah for Human Rights and Immigration and Geneva International Centre for Justice

Delivered by Namrata Hazarika / GICJ

Thank you, Chairperson,

Representing the Association Ma´onah for Human Rights and Immigration and Geneva International Centre for Justice, I am Namrata Hazarika. I start by asserting that the right to development is tethered to the freedom of expression and association.  Liberties that are often curbed through restrictions placed on receiving funding, particularly from foreign sources. Not only are such provisions discriminatory but also violate the free movement of capital.

Even otherwise, generally, accessing funding is hurdled with complicated and opaque processes coupled with constant delays in receiving attained funds. Furthermore, reporting mechanisms that are disproportionate to the acquired funding, accentuate said hardships. Such curtailment limits the scope of Civil Society Organisations to participate in and advance policymaking. 

Geneva International Centre for Justice and Ma’onah highlight the need for transparent, non-discriminatory and inexpensive processes to obtain funding. We reiterate that the right to development is crucial, NGOs are immense contributors to the progressive realisation of economic, social, and cultural rights; Hence, provisions that reduce participatory capability of CSO and a community-based approach, need further assessment and revision.

Thank you!