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