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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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