UNCLAS GENEVA 002079

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/SHA, DRL/MLA, L/HRR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UNHRC WGC
SUBJECT: READOUT FROM WORKING GROUP ON COMMUNICATIONS
MEETING



1. PolCouns De Pirro met September 1 with Maria Echazu, who
recently took over handling of 1503 cases for the OHCHR
Secretariat, for a readout of the August 15-26 meeting of

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the Working Group on Communications (WGC) and its decision
on U.S. cases. Echazu reported that the WGC decided to
dismiss four of the cases (2866, 2873, 2880, and 2891). Two
others, 2790 and 2742, are being referred to the Working
Group on Situations (WGS). Mission received a note verbale
on these two cases on September 1, 2005 (text in paragraph
3). Echazu said that in case 2742 the WGC found
insufficient the information related to the treatment of
mentally ill prisoners and was unsatisfied with the U.S.
response to the allegations made in the case. She added that
the WGC would have welcomed more information on the
guarantees of protection of prisoners' rights. Case number
2742 is number 1 on the Geneva 2006 WGS Log. In case 2790,
the WGC wanted more information on the effect on prisoners
of the stun-belt. Case number 2790 is number 2 on the
Geneva 2006 WGS Log. The WGS will meet the second week of
February 2006. The U.S. response to the note verbale is due
December 2, 2005. A copy of the note verbale and relevant
case information has been sent to IO/SHA, Director under
registry 6132623.


2. Two cases (2886 and 2931) were left pending by the WGC
for its next meeting, scheduled to begin August 28, 2006.
Echazu said a note verbale detailing the information sought
by the WGC was being prepared and would be forwarded to the
Mission shortly.


3. Begin text of note verbale:

REFERENCE: G/SO 215/14

The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his
compliments to the Permanent Representative of the United
States of America to the United Nations Office at Geneva and
has the honour to inform the Permanent Representative of a
decision of the Working Group on Communications, established
under Sub-Commission resolution 2 (XXIV) in accordance with
Economic and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) as
revised by Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/3
(text enclosed).

The Working Group on Communications decided at its thirty-
third session (held at Palais Wilson from 15 to 26 August
2005) to refer to the Working Group on Situations the
particular situations described in communications G/SO 215/1
USA 2742 and USA 2790 concerning the United States of
America. The relevant government replies of 3 August 2004, 9
August 2004, 20 June 2005 and 14 July 2005 were taken into
account. The communications are attached to the present note
verbale for ease of reference.

In accordance with paragraph 5 of ECOSOC resolution 2000/3,
the Working Group on Situations will consider the matter
under the 1503 procedure in closed meetings at its next
session to be held at Palais Wilson from 6 to 10 February

2006.

It may be noted in this connection that the role of the
Working Group on Situations is to examine the confidential
report and recommendations of the Working Group on
Communications and to determine whether or not to refer a
particular situation thus brought before it to the
Commission on Human Rights, and, accordingly, to place
before the Commission a confidential report identifying the
main issues of concern, normally together with a draft
resolution or draft decision recommending the action to be
taken by the Commission in respect of the situations
referred to it.

His Excellency's Government is invited to make its written
observations on the particular situations to be considered
by the Working Group on Situations. To ensure timely
translation and reproduction of observations received prior
to the session of the Working Group on Situations, the
Secretary-General would be grateful if any observations

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which His Excellency's Government might wish to submit could
reach him not later than 2 December 2005, care of the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations
Office at Geneva.

29 August 2005

End text of note verbale.

MOLEY