Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VILNIUS622
2007-09-04 13:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:  

LITHUANIA ON EU HUMAN RIGHTS THEMATIC RESOLUTIONS

Tags:  PREL PHUM LH 
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VZCZCXYZ0024
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVL #0622 2471321
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041321Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1546
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

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