GERMANY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. POSITIONS ON UNGA THIRD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001227 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN GM SUBJECT: GERMANY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. POSITIONS ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES REF: STATE 93981 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Jeffrey Rathke for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Poloff met with MFA Deputy Head of the Human Rights Department Martin Huth September 4 and spoke with Chancellery Advisor on Global Issues, the United Nations and Human Rights Edgar Gansen on September 5 on reftel points. Both expressed strong support for the U.S. positions on no-action motions, the resolutions addressing the human rights situation in Iran, Burma, and the DPRK and on the issue of defamation of religion. They also expressed support for the U.S. position on the need to defend freedom of expression. Both underlined the need for strong multilateral efforts to achieve our common goals, especially with regard to Iran. Gansen stressed the need for even closer cooperation between the EU and the United States. ¶2. (C) Huth said that senior officials from EU capitals are currently meeting in Brussels to address these issues, including whether the EU will submit a resolution on Zimbabwe. He said that this could depend on whether the EU will submit a Zimbabwe resolution in the September session of the Human Rights Council. He said that the EU officials (represented by German A/S equivalent Peter Wittig) will also discuss what he referred to as a U.S. proposal that the U.S. take the lead on a Burma resolution while the EU takes the lead on a Zimbabwe resolution. Regarding Sudan, Huth said that extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur will be a priority and that if such an extension does not pass, that Germany may begin to take a similar view of the HRC as the United States. ¶3. (C) Regarding Belarus and Uzbekistan, Huth argued that by not supporting resolutions addressing human rights in these two countries, the United States is weakening its engagement in the UN Third Committee. Chancellery Advisor Gansen also questioned the wisdom of not proposing such country-specific resolutions, expressing concern that the West could be perceived as treating Europe differently than other parts of the world. Poloff noted our concern that given Belarus' recent positive steps with the release of political prisoners, such a resolution could be counterproductive and that the focus is on how to achieve results. Huth and Gansen acknowledged this position. Huth also noted that three or four other EU countries will be unhappy that there will be no resolution on human rights in Uzbekistan. ¶4. (C) Regarding follow-up to the UN Declaration on Prisoners of Conscience, Huth expressed interest in pursuing various options. He noted the possibility of reading the declaration to the UNGA and that Germany is willing to discuss all possible scenarios. He added that varied views exist within the EU on this issue and that there is no clear idea on what the next steps should be. TIMKEN JR