EGYPT: HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS AT THE UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004960 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2015 TAGS: PREL PHUM KUNR EG SUBJECT: EGYPT: HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS AT THE UN REF: A. STATE 119812 ¶B. CAIRO 4780 (NOTAL) ¶C. STATE 114051 Classified by Economic and Political Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) PolOff discussed ref A points June 29 with Mohamed Mounir of the MFA's Human Rights Department, who emphasized the need to reform "the human rights machinery" at the UN within the context of broader UN reforms. The GOE did not necessarily see a need "to tear apart" current organizations like the Commission on Human Rights (CHR),however. He said the non-aligned movement and the G-77 were still in the process of formulating a common position on human rights reforms and welcomed a broad discussion on options. PolOff highlighted the need to keep an open mind in those discussions, taking into account the recommendations of the Secretary General and the potential benefits of redesigning SIPDIS the machinery into a more effective Human Rights Council. ¶2. (C) Mounir did not believe that forming a new body was necessarily the way to address "the essence of the problems" facing human rights at the UN. He questioned how UN member states could objectively identify "good countries and bad countries" in deciding who should sit on such a council. The GOE was nonetheless open minded about upcoming discussions, according to Mounir. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. CORBIN