Power of NGOs: Dhanapala and Shashi respond to UNSG questionnaire

A number of people have recently expressed frustration with the transparency of the UNSG selection process. For example:

• UNSG and Steve Hirsch have recently expressed dismay at press coverage of this momentus event.
• The Blog of the World Federation of UN Associations has expressed dismay at the level of transparency.
• Many others have expressed similar thoughts.

We agree. Fortunately three NGOs have stood up to demand more information. Recently the attacks on Surakiart Sathirathai for his human rights record by the Asian Human Rights Commission (we covered it here, here, here, and here).

Similarly, the Security Council Report has used their insider information to provide analyses of UNSC actions.

But today, a new level has been reached. The Asian Tribune reports that Jayantha Dhanapala and Shashi Tharoor have answered a questionnaire by an NGO, UNSGSelection.org. We urge them to continue their coverage of the race and, indeed, oversite of the UNSC’s process. We look forward to more, much more, of this.