UKRAINE: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - DEMARCHE ON

UNCLAS KYIV 000869 SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR IO/RHS AND DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC SUBJECT: UKRAINE: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - DEMARCHE ON POSSIBLE CANDIDATES DELIVERED REF: A. STATE 46477 ¶B. KYIV 1599 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) We confirmed on May 7, per ref A inquiry, that Ukraine is seeking re-election to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with Iryna Kachenko, UN Desk Officer for elections in the MFA's International Organizations Division. We also conveyed the USG position expressing deep concern about the performance of the UNHRC. Ms. Kachenko advised Poloff that the GOU shares U.S. concerns that the UNHCR is being used for little more than making damaging public condemnations of Israel. She expressed the GOU's willingness to continue to work with the U.S. to make the UNHRC a more legitimate and responsive body to address global human rights issues. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Comment: Ukraine has been a leader among post-Soviet republics in the field of human rights both at home and abroad and should continue its strong record if re-elected. Ukraine's voting record in the UNHRC has been identical to France and differs from that of EU members, Great Britain, Germany, and Poland by virtue of one abstention rather than a no vote on the November 15, 2006 resolution S-3/1 (Beit Hanoun assault). Should it be re-elected, we anticipate that Ukraine would continue to follow the EU's lead and be a good ally in the Commission for the U.S. with regard to promoting human rights globally. Re-election to the UNHRC would affirm and recognize Ukraine's commitment to human rights, which would also serve to support USG objectives to solidify democracy in Ukraine. End Comment. ¶3. (U) Visit Embassy Kyiv's classified website: www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/kiev. Taylor