GUATEMALA: DEMARCHE ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HUMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001162 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN DEPT ALSO FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN GT SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: DEMARCHE ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES REF: A. STATE 93981 ¶B. GUATEMALA 736 Classified By: Ambassador Stephen McFarland for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (U) Poloff delivered ref A talking points on the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee session to Luis Carranza, Director for Multilateral Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and solicited GOG support for U.S. priority resolutions. ¶2. (C) According to Carranza, the GOG has a strict policy to oppose all no-action motions, regardless of the issue. The GOG believes that it is better to take action on an issue rather than eliminate debate. Carranza stated that the GOG may abstain on a resolution that promotes the concept of defamation of religions, but it is unlikely that the GOG will vote against such a resolution unless the proposed language appears particularly strong or radical. The GOG always makes its views and recommended language known to the Organization of Islamic Conference and will review any proposed resolution before making a final decision. ¶3. (C) Guatemala was not one of the sixty-four signatories to the June Declaration at the UN on Prisoners of Conscience. Carranza highlighted that some countries with which Guatemala has relations (such as Cuba) opposed language contained in the Declaration. Nonetheless, Carranza asked that we inform him of events regarding prisoners of conscience that may take place on the margins of the Third Committee. Carranza did not have any immediate comments on a possible Freedom of Expression resolution. He stated that he would speak with his colleagues in New York and Geneva and with Frank La Rue, the current Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). ¶4. (SBU) Regarding country-specific resolutions, Carranza stated that the GOG supports the proposal to abolish country-specific Special Rapporteurs in favor of Universal Periodic Review at the UNHRC (ref B). He highlighted that political considerations often drive a country's outlook on the human rights situation of a given country. The GOG's general policy is to take the same position on issues in both the UNHRC and UNGA. However, the GOG will make a final decision on any resolution after reading the proposed language. Carranza commented that there appears to be a duplication of efforts within the UNHRC and the UNGA Third Committee, and that the difference in the roles of the two organs is not clear. McFarland