CANADA OPPOSES CHR SPECIAL SITTING

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000825 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2013 TAGS: PHUM AORC CA UNHCR SUBJECT: CANADA OPPOSES CHR SPECIAL SITTING REF: A. GENEVA 811 B. STATE 74016 Classified By: POL/MC Brian Flora for reasons 1.5(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) POL/MC spoke on March 21 with Susan Gregson, Director of DFAIT's Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs and International Women's Equality Division, concerning efforts to place a special sitting on Iraq on the CHR59 agenda. Gregson assured us Canada does not believe a special sitting on Iraq is a good idea, and will not support such a proposal. Gregson further said that Canada will try to persuade other Commission members not to support the special sitting. ¶2. (C) Gregson's message tracks with what the Canadian delegation is saying in Geneva. We understand, from e-mail communications with our delegation, that the Canadian delegation has given assurances they will side with us should this proposal comes to a vote. CELLUCCI