Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05AMMAN5104
2005-06-27 04:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

REFORMING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: JORDAN

Tags:  PREL PHUM KUNR UNCHR 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005104 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM KUNR UNCHR
SUBJECT: REFORMING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: JORDAN

REF: STATE 114051

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005104

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM KUNR UNCHR
SUBJECT: REFORMING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: JORDAN

REF: STATE 114051

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.


1. (C) Poloff met with Ambassador Ziad Majali, head of the
human rights directorate of the Jordanian Foreign Ministry,
on June 23 to discuss USG priorities for reforming the UN
Human Rights Commission (reftel). Majali said that Jordan is
very supportive of efforts to reform the UN, especially with
regard to the Commission on Human Rights. His reaction to the
USG priorities for a new Human Rights Council (HRC) was
positive, noting that they were a good foundation on which to
begin meaningful dialogue. He appreciated that there was
language limiting the mandate of the HRC, such as stating
that the body should not be "another Security Council"
replete with economic and military sanctions for
non-compliers. He said that the challenge remains, however,
to convince other nations that this will be the case. Majali
said that Jordan will engage other Arab League states to
offer support for UN reform, and will encourage open minded
discussions at the upcoming Organization of the Islamic
Conference meeting in Yemen.


2. (C) Majali cautioned that in his personal view, some of
the USG reform "priorities for the Commission on Human
Rights" will be difficult to achieve. For example, he noted
that while the proposal calls for membership in the HRC to be
exclusive of countries subject to investigations of abuses,
it also calls for seats to be allocated regionally, five of
which would go to the Africa Group. Majali remarked that it
would be difficult to find five countries in this group that
would meet the requirements for membership on the council. He
said that he is optimistic that some compromise will be met
that ensures positive reform and offers assurances to the
South. Although Majali hoped that a consensus could be
reached in the three months from now until the issue comes to
a head in New York in September, he was concerned that this
would not be enough time. He added that Security Council
reform would dominate all reform discussions, leaving little
room for an agreement on the HRC.
HALE