Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO256
2007-02-09 10:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
UN A/SYG KANE PROPOSES HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS TO
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C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000256
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS, USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017
TAGS: PHUM AORC PGOV CE
SUBJECT: UN A/SYG KANE PROPOSES HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS TO
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000256
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS, USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017
TAGS: PHUM AORC PGOV CE
SUBJECT: UN A/SYG KANE PROPOSES HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS TO
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs
Angela Kane briefed on February 9 Co-Chair Ambassadors
regarding her current visit to Sri Lanka. She has met with
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Human Rights Minister,
political party leaders and other senior government officials
to gain a better understanding of the situation in Sri Lanka.
She told the Co-Chairs that in all of her meetings she has
been pressing the Government of Sri Lanka to agree to open a
UN Human Rights Office that would have both training and
monitoring components. (NOTE: The UN Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights already has one officer
stationed in Sri Lanka, Rory Mungoven, but he is seconded to
a separate UN office here.)
2. (C) Kane said the Government of Sri Lanka has expressed
interest in receiving human rights training from the UN, but
is less enthusiastic about the deployment of international
human rights monitors. Nonetheless, the GSL has agreed to
carry forward a dialogue on the possible opening of an office
in Sri Lanka. Mungoven explained to the Co-Chairs and to Sri
Lankan interlocutors that there are many models for human
rights offices around the world. In some cases, such as
Nepal, the office had a quite intrusive role while in cases
such as Uganda the offices worked closely with the host
government. All offices are opened only after negotiation
and agreement by the host government.
3. (C) Kane also briefed the Co-Chairs that UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour is considering a
visit to Sri Lanka. Ambassador suggested that Kane brief
Arbour that it would be best to delay her visit three to four
months so that it does not undercut the work of the
Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights that is scheduled to
begin its work the week of February 12 with the help of a
high-level international group of eminent persons as
observers. Kane and other Co-Chairs agreed it would be best
to defer an Arbour visit for the time being.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS, USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017
TAGS: PHUM AORC PGOV CE
SUBJECT: UN A/SYG KANE PROPOSES HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS TO
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs
Angela Kane briefed on February 9 Co-Chair Ambassadors
regarding her current visit to Sri Lanka. She has met with
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Human Rights Minister,
political party leaders and other senior government officials
to gain a better understanding of the situation in Sri Lanka.
She told the Co-Chairs that in all of her meetings she has
been pressing the Government of Sri Lanka to agree to open a
UN Human Rights Office that would have both training and
monitoring components. (NOTE: The UN Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights already has one officer
stationed in Sri Lanka, Rory Mungoven, but he is seconded to
a separate UN office here.)
2. (C) Kane said the Government of Sri Lanka has expressed
interest in receiving human rights training from the UN, but
is less enthusiastic about the deployment of international
human rights monitors. Nonetheless, the GSL has agreed to
carry forward a dialogue on the possible opening of an office
in Sri Lanka. Mungoven explained to the Co-Chairs and to Sri
Lankan interlocutors that there are many models for human
rights offices around the world. In some cases, such as
Nepal, the office had a quite intrusive role while in cases
such as Uganda the offices worked closely with the host
government. All offices are opened only after negotiation
and agreement by the host government.
3. (C) Kane also briefed the Co-Chairs that UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour is considering a
visit to Sri Lanka. Ambassador suggested that Kane brief
Arbour that it would be best to delay her visit three to four
months so that it does not undercut the work of the
Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights that is scheduled to
begin its work the week of February 12 with the help of a
high-level international group of eminent persons as
observers. Kane and other Co-Chairs agreed it would be best
to defer an Arbour visit for the time being.
BLAKE