IRELAND'S POSITION ON UNGA'S THIRD COMMITTEE

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000822

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (CAPTION AND PARA MARKINGS)

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO AND DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KTIA UN EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND'S POSITION ON UNGA'S THIRD COMMITTEE

REF: STATE 145641


1. (SBU) Poloffs met with Irish Department of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Director of the Human Rights Unit, Gavan O'Leary, on
October 26, 2007 regarding reftel on the Third Committee.

No Action Motions
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2. (SBU) In regards to the "no action" motions, O'Leary said
that the European Union agrees with the U.S. and opposes "no
action" motions in principle and is concerned with the recent
increased popularity with countries that do not want to see
country-specific resolutions. On Iranian human rights,
O'Leary affirmed that Ireland is on the same page as the U.S.
and doesn't want the nuclear issue to divert attention from
human rights abuses. He mentioned that the actions of the
Iranian regime were "quite worrying." On Belarus, O'Leary
agreed with the U.S. position, saying that Ireland is
generally supportive, as it has been in the past, although he
noted the concerns of EU states that share a border with
Belarus. O'Leary expressed appreciation for U.S. support on
Burma and is hopeful that the EU resolution will be passed.
On North Korea, he said that Ireland remains aware of the
international community's concerns and noted that the EU
Presidency has been in touch with Japan on the issue.

Thematic Issues
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3. (SBU) Regarding thematic issues, O'Leary said he thought
that the U.S. draft resolution "Condemning the Use of Rape as
an Instrument of State Policy" on the UNGA fall 2007 agenda
had changed titles in order to accommodate rape as an
instrument of rebel factions as well, which he said would
broaden support. O'Leary said Ireland and the U.S. were on
the same page regarding the elections resolution, although he
noted that he had not yet seen it. The resolution will
assist in the promotion of democracy, O'Leary said, noting
that Ireland would work in conjunction with EU election
monitoring commission and OSCE on this matter because of
Ireland's small size. The religious intolerance legislation
has traditionally been introduced by the EU, O'Leary said,
noting that Ireland would speak out strongly against
religious intolerance, particularly anti-Semitism, and that
freedom of expression concerns are not best dealt with as a
human rights issue. From Ireland's point of view, human
rights should be attached to humans, rather than to
institutions such as religions, he added. O'Leary went on to
say that defamation of religion as a concept is sometimes
used as a means to limit freedom of expression, and Ireland
wants to promote freedom of expression as well as freedom of
religion. O'Leary regretted that the U.S. and Ireland do not
agree on the Death Penalty Moratorium Resolution. Ireland is
aware of U.S. views, but will support the resolution
emphasizing a moratorium leading toward abolition of the
death penalty.
FOLEY