NETHERLANDS/CHINA: BERN PROCESS DEMARCHE ON PRC

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001706 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2016 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL CH NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CHINA: BERN PROCESS DEMARCHE ON PRC TREATMENT OF FAMILIES REF: STATE 126582 Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew J. Schofer; reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). 1.(C) Summary: The Finns, in their capacity as EU President, are preparing a human rights demarche on the treatment of Uighurs in the PRC. Dutch MFA officials believe that a separate demarche involving EU members - along the lines of reftel points - is unlikely. They suggest that we consult with the Finns to influence the form of the proposed Presidency demarche. The Dutch also asked when we planned/desired to deliver our demarche. End summary. ¶2. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche August 4 to MFA East Asia Division Policy Officer Peter Ellens and Human Rights Policy Officer Suzanne de Groot. Ellens said that he would pass the demarche language to the Dutch embassy in Beijing. He suggested, however, that our human rights officer in Beijing contact Dutch DCM/Political Counselor Jerard Steeghs and Human Rights intern Melchior Bussink (the regular human rights officer is on maternity leave, and Bussink is covering for her). ¶3. (C) Neither Ellens nor de Groot were aware of the June 21-22 Bern Process meeting. De Groot has just assumed responsibility for the China portfolio, but her predecessor's briefings for her included no mention of the discussions. Ellens has been in his position for some time and also had not heard of the discussions. ¶4. (C) Responding to poloff's inquiry, Ellens said that the proposed Finnish Presidency demarche mentions no specific human rights cases. He said that, while the GONL generally takes the view that unified EU and Presidency demarches are more effective than individual member state demarches, they often contain no specific deliverables or individual cases. Also in response to poloff's inquiry, he confirmed that the Dutch MFA is more frustrated than most other EU member states with the lack of human rights progress in China. ¶5. (C) Ellens asked when we plan to/would like to deliver reftel demarche. He suggested this information be conveyed to the Dutch embassy in Beijing and encouraged close, on-the-ground coordination. BLAKEMAN