CHILE: CLAUDIO GROSSMAN RUNNING FOR REELECTION TO

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000314 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHCR SUBJECT: CHILE: CLAUDIO GROSSMAN RUNNING FOR REELECTION TO THE COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ¶1. On February 16 Post received Diplomatic Note No.38 from the Chilean Foreign Ministry, stating Chile's intent to press for the reelection of Professor Claudio Grossman to the United Nations' Committee Against Torture (CAT). The note also requests the USG's support for Grossman's candidacy. Post has emailed electronic copies of the Diplomatic Note, Post's informal translation, and Grossman's CV to the WHA/BSC Chile desk and to IO/RHS. Post's informal translation of the diplomatic note follows: Begin text: Republic of Chile, Ministry of Foreign Relations No. 38 The Ministry of Foreign Relations - Multilateral Policy Directorate - presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America, and has the honor to inform the Embassy that the Government of Chile has decided to present the candidacy of Professor Claudio Grossman Guiloff, to be reelected as member of the Committee against Torture (CAT), for the period 2008 - 2012. The elections will be held during the XI Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Geneva, Switzerland, in October. Since 1990, Chile has manifested a lasting intention to establish a collaborative relationship with the conventional and extra-conventional mechanisms of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. This allows us to demonstrate our country's progress in this area, and our increasing awareness regarding crimes against humanity. It is worth noting that the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment forms part of Chile's internal legal framework, through the special status that the Political Constitution of the State gives, in its Article 5 sentence 2, to International Human Rights Treaties. This candidacy has a special significance for our country, considering the topics addressed by the Committee against Torture, which constitute a central chapter in the universal protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental liberties. Professor Grossman has broad experience in the area of international human rights law. He is currently a member and Vice-president of the Committee against Torture, and a member of the Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files (elected in February, 2005). He has served as member of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) and as lawyer for various cases before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. He has also served as president of the Human Rights Committee of the International Federation for Human Rights. In the academic arena, Professor Grossman is Dean of the Washington College of Law at American University. His curriculum vita is attached. Regarding this matter and in consideration of the excellent bonds of friendship and cooperation between both countries, the Ministry of Foreign Relations - Multilateral Policy Directorate - would greatly appreciate the valuable support of the illustrious Government of the United States of America for the candidacy of Chile for the Committee against Torture. The Ministry of Foreign Relations - Directorate of Multilateral Policy - avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest and most distinguished consideration. Santiago, January 30, 2007. End text. KELLY