NGOs Back Some  G-77  Working Group Positions

By Judith Achieng'

Non governmental organisations from developing countries have thrown their weight behind their governments in support of their stand against developed countries efforts to attach issues of democracy and transparency in the draft agreement being negotiated at the social summit.

While they generally agree on measures that hold governments in developing countries more responsible with development funds at their disposal, many NGOs charge that the new conditions proposed by European and American delegates have little to do with the promotion of social development in the Third World, but their own self interests.

"There are always demands for the south to do something.  The South was told to open markets, it did. lt. was told to democratise, they have been working hard at the direction of democracy, they don't have to be told again.  But the north is doing nothing", complained one African NGO delegate.

In the draft document being negotiated, G-77 delegates have called for the establishment of development as a basic right.  But their European Union counterparts  want to limit the wording of the text to 'promoting"   social development. Instead EU is calling for the inclusion of democracy and transparency as conditions for development co-operation.

In Paragraph 4, EU countries are also seeking to attach human rights, peace and stability as condition for development.  G77 countries have objected to the text and are seeking its deletion from the final document.

In Paragraph 9, another contentious article, the United states is proposing language to "put an end to any agreements, which are against the international law and the Charter of the United Nations particularly laws that create trade obstacles between states and impede the full achievements of social development'.

The G-77  is seeking to replace this proposal, citing a General Assembly principle that food and medicines should not be used as a tool for political pressure. Instead the are proposing a law that would prevent international agreements that could undermine the ability to achieve adequate enjoyment of human rights and standard of living.

"lt. is a huge ideological battle and a political power battle between the two worlds," says Neville S. Arachige Don, who runs the US based International research Foundation for Development.

"But there are fundamental issues to be discussed if we are serious with coming to a suitable agreement.. The concept of development and what is internationally agreeable human rights should be spelled out."

Don urges that the concept of democracy has been interpreted differently under different circumstances and hence cannot be imposed upon poor countries.

"Democracy is an ideological justification for nations to achieve their own interests," he says. "Under different circumstances, resources and environmental conditions, different countries have their own brand of democracy.

Atiedegla Aurelien of the Benin based GRAPAD-ONG (Research and Action Group for the Promotion of Agriculture and development) says while democracy is an important component in the development process,' the EU on the other hand are not "serious" in their demands for human rights when they themselves violate international laws on immigration.

"The EU does not follow the laid down roles of immigration, they don't have respect for human rights," he says.

Alwanga Malaho of the Kenya Volunteer Development Service says the problem with the conditions given by the superpowers is that they are only meant to serve their own interests".

"How will we achieve equality when the decisions made in the UN Security Council do not involve developing countries?"

Don says the differences between G-77 countries and their developed counterparts could only be solved if they are given an equal stake in the international system.  "The international community has to guarantee a fair and just process in which all regions can be integrated in international debate on a democratic basis.  Once this is assured, people will be a bit flexible to change their perceptions," he says. (END

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