Letter From the Watch Tower Society About Registration as an NGO (February 5, 2004)

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Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses

2821 Route 22, Patterson, NY 12563-2237 Phone: (845) 306-1100

ECH:ECL February 5,2004

Dear Sister

We are pleased to respond to your letter of January 16,2004, wherein you request clarification regarding the Watch Tower Society's former registration with the United Nations as an NGO (nongovernmental organization) with the UN's Department of Public Information (DPI).

So that you will be aware of what actually occurred, note that our purpose for registering with the Department of Public Information as an NGO in 1991 was to have access to the internationally respected research material available on health, ecological, and social problems at the United Nations library facilities for use in our publications. We had been using the library for many years prior to 1991, but in that year UN personnel on duty at the time told our representative that it would be necessary to register as an NGO to have continued access. The registration papers filed with the United Nations that we have on file contain no statements that conflict with our Christian beliefs. Moreover, NGOs are informed by the United Nations' Web site that "association of NGOs with the DPI does not constitute their incorporation into the United Nations system, nor does it entitle associated organizations or their staff to any kind of privileges, immunities or special status."

Still, the Criteria for Association of NGOs contain some language that we cannot subscribe to. When we realized this, we immediately withdrew our registration. We are grateful that this matter was brought to our attention. Likely, you will find to be helpful the information on our view of the UN in the enclosed photocopy of page 7 from The Watchtower of October 1, 1995. There it shows that Jehovah's Witnesses view the United Nations in the same way they view other governments, and we have used UN library facilities just as we normally use individual national government facilities, such as libraries and court systems.—Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7.

We trust the above comments will be helpful.

Your brothers in Jehovah's service,

Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses

Enclosure