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