DEMARCHE TO TIMOR-LESTE ON PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DILI 000138 SIPDIS FOR EAP/MTS AND DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/12/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA TT SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO TIMOR-LESTE ON PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE DECLARATION REF: A) STATE 40380, B) DILI 131 CLASSIFIED BY: Henry M. Rector, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Dili, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (U) DCM met May 9 with Celio Moniz, Acting Director of Multilateral Affairs at Timor-Leste's Foreign Ministry. Drawing on reftel a, we urged that Timor-Leste co-sponsor the draft Declaration on Prisoners of Conscience. We stressed that it was not a country-specific measure, and that it affirmed the principles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Moniz responded that Foreign Minister Da Costa would have to decide the matter, and he is on an official visit to Cuba until May 18. Moniz undertook to coordinate the issue with both Minister Da Costa and Timor-Leste's Mission to the United Nations. ¶2. (C) Comment. Despite Mr Moniz' non-committal response, Post belives that there is nonetheless a reasonably good chance that Timor-Leste will ultimately co-sponsor the declaration. Timor-Leste is a serious contender for a seat on the Human Rights Council (ref B),and might welcome the opportunity to highlight its commitment to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. During the 62nd UNGA, Timor-Leste has generally supported the U.S. on key human rights votes. At this point, the most productive step on this issue might be a strong approach to Timor-Leste's Mission to the UN. End comment. KLEMM