COLOMBIA'S CANDIDATE FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008702 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PREL PHUM CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA'S CANDIDATE FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ¶1. Post received on September 12 dip note DPM/CAI No. 49215 dated September 6 requesting U.S. support for Pastor Elias Murillo Martinez's candidacy for the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) as well as Murillo's CV (dip note and CV faxed to WHA/AND). Elections will be held January 14, 2006 in New York. ¶2. The dipnote stresses the importance the GOC places on CERD's work to eliminate racial discrimination and notes that Colombia has the third largest population of people of African descent outside of Africa. The dipnote emphasizes Murillo's experience as a human rights lawyer, as well as his work as a distinguished member of the Comunidad Colombiana de Afrodescendientes. Murillo currently works for the MFA as an advisor in the Multilateral Environment, Social and Economic Affairs Division. He is responsible for indigenous communities and the Afro-Colombian and Roma populations, as well as issues related to women, children, migrants and trafficking victims. He has written extensively on Afro-Colombian issues and is familiar with the workings of international human rights organizations. ¶3. Post notes that the GOC has supported U.S. candidacies for international boards and commissions. DRUCKER