PHILIPPINE VIEWS ON HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 000717 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2012 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHRC RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE VIEWS ON HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ISSUES REF: STATE 26833 Classified By: Pol/C Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) The Philippines is "very concerned" that the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) may table a potentially stronger resolution on defamation of religion at the fourth regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC),according to Noel Servigon, Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) Director for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the Office of United Nations and International Organizations. Servigon expressed interest in U.S. draft amendments designed to protect the freedoms of expression and religion, and promised to discuss this issue with his counterparts in the Philippine Mission in Geneva. ¶2. (C) Regarding a special session on Burma, Servigon reiterated the Philippine preference for engagement and observed that the International Labor Organization typically handled issues such as children and armed conflict and forced labor. On the Sudan Assessment Mission, Servigon stated that the Philippines would wait for the report of the assessment team before taking a position on its follow-up. He declined to predict how the Philippines would vote on the extension of special rapporteurs, noting a desire first to receive the report from the working group on special procedures. Servigon commented that there would inevitably be an agenda item on Israel ever year, but did not indicate how the Philippines would vote on formally making it a permanent agenda item. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm KENNEY