GOA SUPPORTS PRESERVING ALL MANDATES AND BROAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001151

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IO FOR RACHEL LEATHAM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC UNAUS AR
SUBJECT: GOA SUPPORTS PRESERVING ALL MANDATES AND BROAD
PERMANENT AGENDA AT UNHRC "IN PRINCIPLE"

REF: SECSTATE 80095

Classified By: CDA Michael M. Matera for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On June 11, Poloff delivered reftel points to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director of Human Rights
Gabriela Quinteros and Third Secretary Alexis Am. Quinteros
stated that the GOA, in principle, supports the continuation
of all country-specific and thematic mandates at the UN Human
Rights Council (UNHRC),particularly, the country-specific
mandates of the DPRK, Belarus, Myanmar, and Cuba. Am noted
that Argentina has informally expressed its preference to
maintain all mandates, but that Argentina still has not
passed instructions to its mission in Geneva. Quinteros
noted that the GOA would have to see how the HRC session
evolves, stressing that Argentina prefers to work by
consensus, particularly with GRULAC. She stated that she
would pass our requests to her superiors for consideration,
and noted that the Japanese Embassy made a similar demarche
regarding the importance of keeping all mandates the week of
June 4.


2. (C) Regarding the permanent agenda, Quinteros
maintained that Argentina seeks a balanced approach to Israel
at the UNHRC and acknowledged that the Council seems to have
"an automatic majority" when it comes to Israel-Palestine
issues. She stated that, in principle, the GOA agrees that
there should be a broad permanent agenda that allows for all
human rights situations to be addressed. She commented that
"Israel's human rights situation is not the only one" that
should be considered by the Council. Am noted that the GOA
asked GRULAC members for their position on the issue, but he
claimed that none, so far, have defined their position.
MATERA