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