CZECHS CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000539 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2016 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL SY EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA REF: STATE 77093 Classified By: Acting Political-Economic Counselor Karen C. Reider for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) A/DCM and POLOFF met May 17 with Veronika Stromsikova, Czech MFA's Director of the Human Rights Department, to discuss reftel on human rights abuses in Syria. Stromsikova said the Czechs are concerned about deteriorating human rights conditions in Syria, and were aware of the abuses identified in reftel, including the SARG-imposed travel ban imposed on key Syrian opposition leader Raid Seif, who is personally known to Stromsikova's colleagues in the MFA's Middle East Department. Stromsikova emphasized that the issue of human rights is raised at all Czech-Syrian bilateral contacts as a matter of policy, and the Czechs are willing to join U.S. efforts to improve human rights in Syria. A/DCM encouraged the Czechs to publicly denounce human rights violations when they occur in Syria. ¶2. (C) Notwithstanding the Czech policy on bilateral contacts with Syria, Stromsikova said such bilateral contacts were rare; most Czech contacts with Syria are channeled through the EU. Stromsikova also noted that the EU is currently focused on formulating its response to the recent closure of the EU Center in Damascus, and she expects the EU will take some action on Syria in the short-term. CABANISS