LITHUANIA ON EU HUMAN RIGHTS THEMATIC RESOLUTIONS

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000622 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL/MLGA GPAZ AND IO/RHS AOSTERMEIER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA ON EU HUMAN RIGHTS THEMATIC RESOLUTIONS REF: SECSTATE 122654 ¶1. We delivered reftel points to Darius Staniulis, Head of the MFA's Human Rights and NGOs Division, on September 4. He noted that there were some issues -- capital punishment and the Rights of the Child text -- where the EU and the U.S. have "agreed to disagree," but he added that overall the EU and the U.S. are excellent partners on human rights issues. ¶2. Regarding the HRC reporting to the Third Committee prior to reporting to UNGA, he said there needs to be a balance between procedure and independence for the HRC. He said that requiring the HRC to report through the Third Committee would erode its independence, and the GOL would be unlikely to support such a requirement. He added, however, that last year's approach by the chair of the HRC to speak to the General Assembly and then to the Third Committee was unworkable. Regarding the Rights of the Child text, he said that even in the EU the notion is gaining ground that the text is too extensive and should be shortened. He said the EU considers elimination of capital punishment a "big priority" and that the GOL supports the EU position. LEADER