58TH UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS: CUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001254 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR IO, DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2012 TAGS: PHUM UNHRC PREL AORC CU NI SUBJECT: 58TH UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS: CUBA REF: A. ABUJA 1229 ¶B. ABUJA 1218 ¶C. ABUJA 1164 CLASSIFIED BY DCM ANDREWS. REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Further to Ref A, PolCouns April 19 passed a copy of the draft Cuba resolution and diplomatic Note to Principal Secretary to President Obasanjo, Stephen Oronsaye. PolCouns SIPDIS emphasized that GRULAC states had come forward to sponsor and support the resolution and that the resolution was mild in tone, especially in view of the fact that the Cuban government had intensified its intimidation of pro-democracy activists and had committed numerous other human rights abuses during the year. He told Oronsaye that the resolution was the top CHR priority for the USG. ¶2. (C) PolCouns remarked that Nigerian endorsement of the resolution would be deeply appreciated. At the very least, Nigeria should factor the considerable GRULAC support and the low-key tenor of the resolution into its decision by abstaining. Oronsaye nodded affirmatively, stating he would pass the message to the President. ¶3. (C/NF) Despite our efforts, Nigeria not only voted against the resolution but actively solicited others to do so as well. Nigeria has a general policy of voting against country-specific resolutions. We understand that Nigeria's Ambassador in Geneva began the session with instructions to vote no, and we were told privately that these instructions were reaffirmed by the Foreign Ministry approximately two days before the vote. We do not know what role Presidency officials or President Obasanjo himself might have played in the original or subsequent instructions. Indeed, we cannot confirm that he considered our demarche before the vote took place. JETER