DEMARCHE TO MEXICO ON USG PRIORITIES FOR HUMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MEXICO 001209 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHCR MX SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO MEXICO ON USG PRIORITIES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL FOURTH SESSION REF: STATE 26833 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay, Reasons : 1.4(b/d). ¶1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel talking points to Luis Benavides, Director of International Policy on Political and Civil Rights, and Mariana Salazar, Director of International Policy on Cultural, Social, Economic and Minority Rights, both of the Secretariat of Foreign Relations. ¶2. (C) Concerning action by the Human Rights Council (HRC) on the Sudan, Salazar responded that Mexico is in favor of pursuing and following up past actions of the HRC, since it is intrinsic to the council's operating procedures. Thus, Mexico is implicitly supportive of another effort to realize the Sudan Assessment Mission. ¶3. (C) Concerning HRC action on Burma, Salazar stated that Mexico does not advocate country-specific resolutions, though it does respect the procedural mechanism of the council and its arrival at consensus on issues. ¶4. (C) Concerning the survival of country-specific mandates, Salazar said all mandates are subject to the process of the HRC in determining their extension. While Mexico does not favor country-specific mandates, it is in favor of strengthening the universal periodic review. In addressing thematic resolutions, Benavides mentioned that Mexico supports economic, social and cultural rights as well as political and civil rights. ¶5. (C) Concerning blocking the permanent agenda item on Israel, Salazar noted that Mexico is not involved in the discussions on this subject and does not have a position other than respecting the consensus of the council. However, Salazar said that it is essential for the HRC to be able to address differences at urgent moments, and perhaps a mechanism to facilitate such action would be helpful. ¶6. (C) Concerning protecting the freedom of expression, Benavides emphasized its importance but also noted that democratic countries determine a balance between civil rights and other demands on society. He noted that freedom of speech does have some limits, for instance, in the interests of national security or public safety. ¶7. (C) In the next session, Mexico wants the council to focus less on resolutions and more on institution building. As the elections to the HRC are soon approaching, Salazar also took the opportunity to mention that Mexico will continue to refrain from exchanging votes or announcing its votes in advance; it calls on all countries to evaluate candidates exclusively on their merits and contributions to human rights; and it discourages regions to identify candidates to fill the number of available region-designated seats prior to the elections. Both Benavides and Salazar expressed interest in the U.S. joining the council. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity GARZA