We keep good company.

India has abstained from voting on a UN resolution that granted special consultative status to an American NGO that works to free political prisoners across the world. Nine nations, including China and Pakistan voted against the resolution.


India was among the 11 countries that abstained from voting on the resolution in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Monday to grant special consultative non-governmental organisation (NGO) status to the Freedom Now group.


Of the 54 ECOSOC members present, 29 voted in favour of the resolution sponsored by Albania, Australia, Estonia, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, UK, US and Uruguay.


Freedom Now said being granted the status is important not merely as acknowledgement of its important work but to provide the organisation, its imprisoned clients, and their families a platform to address the UN Human Rights Council, ECOSOC, and the General Assembly during relevant discussions.