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