AMBASSADOR'S OCTOBER 10 MEETING WITH UNHCHR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007451 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2017 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR PREL PTER UN CO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S OCTOBER 10 MEETING WITH UNHCHR DIRECTOR JUAN PABLO CORLAZZOLI Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In an October 10 courtesy call, the Ambassador voiced our support for the work of local UN High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Office Director Juan Pablo Corlazzoli and noted our interest in working closely with his successor. Corlazzoli thanked the Ambassador for U.S. funding, voiced concern about Colombia's highly polarized human rights environment, and urged the international community to continue to build lines of communication between the GOC and human rights groups. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on October 10 to local UNHCHR Office Director Juan Pablo Corlazzoli. The Ambassador voiced our support for Corlazzoli's office, and noted our interest in working with his successor. He also asked for Corlazzoli's assessment of the human rights situation. ¶3. (U) Corlazzoli thanked the Ambassador for U.S. funding for UNHCHR, and said he hoped to continue to work with the USG to improve Colombia's human rights record. He said UNHCHR Geneva is interviewing various candidates, but has not yet identified his successor. He will depart Colombia on December 4 after the London-Cartagena process meeting in Bogota on November 30-December 1. Corazzoli said he would also oversee completion of the first draft of the UNHCHR's annual human rights report which is due in Geneva on November ¶20. His deputy, Javier Hernandez, will manage the office until his successor arrives some time next year. ¶4. (C) Corlazzoli said he remains deeply concerned about the sharp polarization that exists between the GOC and human rights groups. The GOC feels misunderstood and besieged by the human rights community; human rights groups believe themselves under attack by the GOC and its supporters. The polarized climate prevents progress on the National Human Rights Action Plan-- no longer a priority according to human rights groups,--and hinders communication on key issues. ¶5. (C) Corlazzoli attributed the polarization to a mix of political, personal, and policy disputes. Many human rights groups consider President Uribe's government "illegitimate," and lobby constantly for an end to foreign military assistance. At the same time, Uribe has often responded to criticism on human rights issues by launching harsh, personal attacks on human rights groups and individual activists. The debate over the Justice and Peace Law sharpened these differences, with many human rights groups taking an extreme position in favor of justice over peace. The GOC also did a poor job of explaining the paramilitary process to the public. Hernandez added that President Uribe's reelection hardened many human rights groups' stance toward his government. ¶6. (C) Corlazzoli said the international community needs to keep building lines of communication between the GOC and its human rights critics. The international community also should continue to support processes aimed at ending Colombia's armed conflicts. Without peace, it remains impossible to achieve fundamental human rights improvements. Brownfield