COLOMBIA REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATE FOR THE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 005392 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR WHA/AND, USUN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM UN UNHRC AORC CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATE FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ¶1. This is an action request (see paragraphs 2). ¶2. We received a request from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for support for their candidate for the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Pastor Elias Murillo Martinez. Pastor Murillo is well-known and respected by the Embassy as a talented, articulate and reasonable individual. A copy of the request and a biography will be faxed to WHA/AND and USUN. Please advise of USG position on the request, or time frame in which decision will be made, so that it may be communicated to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶3. Begin informal Embassy translation of MFA letter: The Foreign Ministry presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America on this occasion in order to inform the Embassy that the Government of Colombia has decided to present the candidacy of Pastor Elias Murillo Martinez as a member of the Committee to Eliminate all types of Racial Discrimination -- CERD -- for the period 2008-2011, for which elections will take place in January 2008, in New York. The Government of Colombia recognizes the great importance of the work CERD is doing by promoting policies directed to the elimination of all forms of discrimination, considering that Colombia has the third largest Afro-descendant community outside of Africa. Dr. Murillo Martinez, a lawyer who has specialized in Environmental Law, is a graduate of Human Rights Studies with experience in international and inter-American systems related to human rights, ethics and environmental issues. He is experienced in seeking focus and consensus on the drafting and application of international policy evaluations for Afro-descendants and indigenous groups. In light of his professional excellence, academic background and experience as a prominent member of the Afro-Colombian community, the Government of Colombia is confident that Dr. Murillo will be able to make valuable contributions to the efficient performance of the work entrusted to CERD. The Foreign Ministry requests the support of the Government of the United States of America with the above mentioned request and avails itself to the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America with assurances of its highest consideration. End informal Embassy translation of MFA letter. Drucker