CZECHS ON THE SECOND SESSION OF THE UNHRC

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001217 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2016 TAGS: PHUM UN EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS ON THE SECOND SESSION OF THE UNHRC REF: STATE 156800 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Polec Counselor and Poloff met with MFA Human Rights Department Director Veronika Stromsikova on September 29 to discuss priorities for the second session of the UNHRC, and to deliver Reftel talking points. Stromsikova had just returned from UNHRC meetings in Geneva and offered her assessment of the new Council. ¶2. (C) On priorities for the second session, the Czechs agree that specific country mandates, a credible Universal Periodic review, and Special Rapporteurs should be top priorities. She suspected, however, that the UNHRC will not/not be able to address human rights violations in countries of concern to both the United States and the Czech Republic -- including Belarus, Burma, Cuba, and North Korea -- in the second session. Indeed, Cuba seems to be setting the agenda for the UNHRC with its tacit control over Asian and African members. ¶3. (C/NF) On the future of the UNHRC generally, Stromsikova was pessimistic, especially in light of the unambitious agenda set by the EU (i.e., to focus only on Sri Lanka and Sudan) and the fact that the United States is not a member. Of particular concern to the Czechs is the practice of OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) members to draft resolutions that incite religious hatred. Nevertheless, she said the Czechs have not given up on the UNHRC. They are likely to run again for a seat on the UNHRC because holding a seat on the Council would enhance the Czech Republic's effectiveness during its 2009 term as EU president. She also urged the United States to become a member, noting the EU cannot push through the needed reforms alone. GRABER