KUWAIT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003457

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI AND IO/SHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KU UNGA HURI UN
SUBJECT: KUWAIT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL

REF: A. STATE 140192

B. KUWAIT 2777

C. STATE 114051

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (SBU) PolChief delivered August 3 ref A demarche on
creating a new UN Human Rights Council to Ministry of Foreign
Affairs International Organizations Director Ambassador
Abdullah Al-Murad. Al-Murad did not elaborate on Kuwait's
position -- PolChief left an Arabic version of the points
with him for further review -- but proffered that most
countries were fearful of the concept and skeptical about the
Council's goals. Referring to the annual U.S. Human Rights
Report, he said most nations did not want to be scrutinized
by yet another body. Drawing from ref A, PolChief replied
the intent was not to shame other countries, rather to create
a body that could act quickly and effectively to human rights
concerns. Al-Murad promised to study the points.


2. (C) Al-Murad commented that some unspecified European
governments had approached him on creating the Human Rights
Council. He wanted to know if there was a coordinated
demarche effort between the U.S. and European capitals. He
also wanted to know if a draft resolution on establishing the
Council was available. Per ref A, PolChief directed Al-Murad
to UNGA President Ping's outcome document. Al-Murad gave the
distinct impression that he preferred to respond to an actual
proposal rather than discuss a concept.
LEBARON