In February 1992, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New York corporation, the Watchtower Society, was granted association as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) of the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN/DPI). The Watchtower Society requested termination of the association in October 2001, and the DPI disassociated the NGO on 9 October^[12] after the matter was reported in The Guardian.^[13][14] A UN/DPI letter dated March 4, 2004, states, “The principal purpose of association of non-governmental organizations with the United Nations Department of Public Information is the redissemination of information in order to increase public understanding of the principles, activities and achievements of the United Nations and its Agencies.”^[15] The letter explained that “[b]y accepting association with DPI, the organization agreed to meet criteria for association, including support and respect of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities.”^[15] The official site further notes that association with the UN/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.”^[16]

Jehovah’s Witnesses have appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Committee about sanctions against their members’ activities. Between April 2013 and early April 2016, Jehovah’s Witnesses submitted 48 appeals to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, complaining that punishments for sharing faith violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.^[17]