This post was originally published as part of Dui Hua’s This Month in History series in its April 2014 Digest.

In April 2005, Dui Hua received Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council. Dui Hua is the only independent non-governmental organization (NGO) focusing on human rights in China to have achieved this status. Special Consultative Status facilitates Dui Hua’s meetings with various UN bodies and its submission of research and recommendations related to Chinese prisoners, rule of law, and human rights. Later this month—nine years after he made his first statement at the United Nations on human rights in China—Executive Director John Kamm will travel to Geneva to meet with and make presentations to Special Procedures of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights.