WHO tobacco conference rejects applications for observer

A global conference organised by the WHO here today rejected the applications for observer status of 13 non-governmental organisations including two from India.
The move comes after Indian tobacco farmer and industry bodies have demanded their inclusion in the negotiations in the summit and also protested against the "un-democratic" way of framing "one-sided" policies on tobacco.
India is hosting the Seventh Session of the Conference of Parties (COP7) to World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) for the first time.
"The COP), having considered the applications for observer status submitted by one intergovernmental organisation and 16 nongovernmental organisations contained in document FCTC/COP/7/3, including a new application from the World Farmers' Organisation, which was not granted observer status at the sixth session of the Conference of the Parties...,

"Recalling decision FCTC/COP6(2) point (b), which deferred consideration of the application for observer status submitted by the East African Community until the seventh session of the COP - Decides in accordance with Rules 30 and 31 of its Rules of Procedure: to reject the status of observer to the following 13 organisations," the decision said.
The Indian NGOs include All India Bidi Industry Federation and Federation of All India Farmers Association.

"The COP also decides in accordance with Rules 30 and 31 of its Rules of Procedure: (a) to grant the status of observer to American Cancer Society, InterAmerican Heart Foundation and Vision mondiale de la sante (World Health Vision)" it said.

The COP, however, deferred the consideration of the application for observer status submitted by the East African Community until the eighth session of the COP to allow the East African Community to submit additional information.
Indian tobacco farmers today staged a demonstration at the venue of a global conference organised to protest against the "non-democratic" way of framing "one-sided" policies on tobacco.
The farmers also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to institute an investigation and expose the opaque working of WHO-FCTC and NGO operations in India who orchestrated atrocities against farmers.
Meanwhile, The Tobacco Institute of India (TII) condemned the non-inclusion of affected parties and said it was "unfortunate" that the Industry stakeholders and tobacco farmers whose livelihood will be affected by the decisions at this conference have not been allowed to participate in it.

"It is disappointing that the WHO and the Indian Government did not respond to the pleas of the Industry stakeholders and Tobacco farming community seeking participation in the COP7 meeting.
"Participation of stakeholders is essential to ensure that the farmer and Industry viewpoint on various issues arising out of the COP7 Agenda is taken cognizance of and no unilateral and discriminatory one-sided decision is taken by the Parties to the Conference," it said.
Earlier in the day, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said that the government is aware of the concerns of tobacco farmers and their issues will be discussed during the ongoing global tobacco control conference.