Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1107
2008-06-13 12:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA DISAPPOINTED ABOUT USG WITHDRAWAL FROM UN
how-toVZCZCXRO8678 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1107 1651222 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131222Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3106 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0273 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 9421 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001107
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA DISAPPOINTED ABOUT USG WITHDRAWAL FROM UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: STATE 61034 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001107
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA DISAPPOINTED ABOUT USG WITHDRAWAL FROM UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: STATE 61034 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) On June 11, PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to
Ambassador M.K. Ibrahim, Director of the Second United
Nations Division in the International Organizations
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador
Ibrahim has been one of Nigeria's representatives to the
United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for some time and
spoke frankly about his great regret over the USG decision to
completely withdraw from the Council. Ibrahim suggested that
"walking away" was not the solution, noting that the USG did
not withdraw from the UN Security Council despite its not
being able to act on issues important to us. Ibrahim noted
that Nigeria has not left the HRC although many issues
"objectionable" to the law and culture of the GON have been
brought up, such as the rights of homosexuals and challenges
to Shari'a. In the end, Ibrahim said he was "optimistic"
that necessary reforms to the HRC would take place, allowing
the USG to return to active participation.
2. (C) Comparing the HRC to a "toddler", Ibrahim noted the
Council has only existed for three years and it needs time to
find its footing. PolCouns, however, replied that in those
three years, the Council managed to reproduce the failings
that took its predecessor, the Human Rights Commission, 40
years to develop, and had gone on to develop new ones.
Ibrahim countered that the UN HRC has also developed positive
institutions, such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR),
that still need to be built upon. Ibrahim added that Nigeria
and other countries greatly valued comments made by USG
representatives during the most recent UPR; he will be
drawing on some of those comments in the country report he is
preparing for Nigeria.
3. (C) Ibrahim reiterated his dismay over the USG's decision,
and stated that not only is the Council losing a valuable
presence, but the USG is a losing a valuable opportunity to
comment on human rights, adding that isolation is not the
answer. When PolCouns promised the USG would continue
advocating for human rights through different methods,
Ibrahim replied that such methods, like the U.S. Human Rights
Report and Trafficking in Persons Report, although
appreciated by Nigeria, are only bilateral efforts rather
than the multi-lateral ones that can be made through the UN
HRC. Stating that human rights are a global issue, Ibrahim
reiterated that he remained hopeful that our disengagement
would prompt the Council to make the necessary reforms to
encourage renewed USG participation.
SANDERS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA DISAPPOINTED ABOUT USG WITHDRAWAL FROM UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: STATE 61034 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) On June 11, PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to
Ambassador M.K. Ibrahim, Director of the Second United
Nations Division in the International Organizations
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador
Ibrahim has been one of Nigeria's representatives to the
United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for some time and
spoke frankly about his great regret over the USG decision to
completely withdraw from the Council. Ibrahim suggested that
"walking away" was not the solution, noting that the USG did
not withdraw from the UN Security Council despite its not
being able to act on issues important to us. Ibrahim noted
that Nigeria has not left the HRC although many issues
"objectionable" to the law and culture of the GON have been
brought up, such as the rights of homosexuals and challenges
to Shari'a. In the end, Ibrahim said he was "optimistic"
that necessary reforms to the HRC would take place, allowing
the USG to return to active participation.
2. (C) Comparing the HRC to a "toddler", Ibrahim noted the
Council has only existed for three years and it needs time to
find its footing. PolCouns, however, replied that in those
three years, the Council managed to reproduce the failings
that took its predecessor, the Human Rights Commission, 40
years to develop, and had gone on to develop new ones.
Ibrahim countered that the UN HRC has also developed positive
institutions, such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR),
that still need to be built upon. Ibrahim added that Nigeria
and other countries greatly valued comments made by USG
representatives during the most recent UPR; he will be
drawing on some of those comments in the country report he is
preparing for Nigeria.
3. (C) Ibrahim reiterated his dismay over the USG's decision,
and stated that not only is the Council losing a valuable
presence, but the USG is a losing a valuable opportunity to
comment on human rights, adding that isolation is not the
answer. When PolCouns promised the USG would continue
advocating for human rights through different methods,
Ibrahim replied that such methods, like the U.S. Human Rights
Report and Trafficking in Persons Report, although
appreciated by Nigeria, are only bilateral efforts rather
than the multi-lateral ones that can be made through the UN
HRC. Stating that human rights are a global issue, Ibrahim
reiterated that he remained hopeful that our disengagement
would prompt the Council to make the necessary reforms to
encourage renewed USG participation.
SANDERS