DUTCH HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMS IN IRAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000184 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DRL/NESCA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM EUN KDEM PREL IR NL SUBJECT: DUTCH HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMS IN IRAN REF: A) THE HAGUE 145, B) SECSTATE 2659 (NOTAL),C) 06 THE HAGUE 2661 (NOTAL),D) 06 THE HAGUE 2634 (NOTAL) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: The Dutch embassy in Tehran is responsible for administering approximately one million Euros annually in human rights program funding. Details are included below. This is in addition to 13 million Euros of Iran media diversity programs the Dutch are currently supporting (ref D). Dutch MFA has provided this information, with the request that it be kept between our governments. The Dutch repeat their request that we share with them details of our Iranian human rights and democratization programs (ref A),to maximize impact. End summary. Dutch-Funded Programs in Iran: -------------- ¶3. (SBU) According to the Dutch MFA, the Dutch embassy in Tehran administers or supports the following human rights and good governance programs. Euro figures indicate Dutch contributions only. a. UNODC Project title: "Cooperation in the promotion of the reform process of the Judiciary and the Prison System of the Islamic Republic of Iran." Amount: 434,000 euro for one year (12/05-12/06). Objectives: Support reform of the judiciary and improvement of the prison system; pilot application of fair trial; establishment of complaint system and awareness raising within the judicial system; increase the role of women in criminal justice; e-courts pilot project; improve prisoner conditions in line with UN standards. b. UNDP Project title: "UNDP/Iran Governance Program 2004-2009." Amount: 600,000 Euro over six years. Objectives: Promote good governance with emphasis on rule of law; promote human rights; strengthen capacity for human rights research and training; provide opportunities for experience and knowledge sharing as well as networking; strengthen capacity of institutional and professional organizations. c. Association of Dutch Municipalities Project title: "Promoting participatory local governance practices in Iran." Amount: 270,136 Euros for 16 months (11/05-02/07) Description/Objectives: The project is intended to promote good local governance practices in urban areas if Iran, i.e., through a mayoral exchange program and follow-up activities. d. University of Amsterdam Project title: "The Islamic Republic of Iran and its relationship with the international community, especially the European Union: the role of human rights." Amount: 88,581 Euros for three years (2005-2007) Description: This is a student exchange program. It is intended to raise awareness of Iranian human rights issues both in Holland and in Iran and to promote the establishment of contacts between Dutch and Iranian participants. e. UNICEF The Dutch are finalizing details on a planned contribution to a UNICEF project on children's rights and media. The total project value is expected to be 600,000 Euro. The intended Dutch contribution has not been disclosed. f. Possible NGO projects THE HAGUE 00000184 002.4 OF 002 The Dutch are looking at several small NGO projects, as well. Dutch MFA Human Rights Policy Officer Sonja van der Meer said that it has been "increasingly difficult to identify (Iranian) organizations that are willing to receive foreign funding. However, since the major UN programs are by now sufficiently funded," the MFA is looking for NGO/civil society partners. Request for Information on U.S. Programs: -------------- ¶4. (SBU) In providing the above information, the Dutch MFA Human Rights Division (which also provided information reported ref C), repeated its request that we provide similarly detailed information on USG-supported human rights and democratization programs related to Iran. Post believes it would be useful to share such information in government-to-government channels. We therefore request that the Department provide a fact sheet or other documentation in a format which can be provided to the Dutch, either via post or through the Dutch Embassy in Washington. Arnall