MALAWI: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000534 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/S - E. PELLETREAU STATE ALSO FOR IO/RHS - REBECCA JOVIN AND DRL/MLGA- LYNN SICADE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN MI SUBJECT: MALAWI: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES REF: SECSTATE 93981 Classified By: Political Officer John Letvin for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ) ¶1. (C) Emboff delivered reftel demarche to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Political Affairs Paul Chiunguzeni and Deputy Director for Political Affairs Warren Gunda. Gunda is responsible for Malawi's preparations for Third Committee issues. Chiunguzeni commented that while Malawi certainly values human rights and does not condone human rights abuses, Malawi believes one country resolutions are counterproductive. Chiunguzeni continued that he did not believe "name and shame" tactics would accomplish anything and said that Malawi would prefer that human rights issues remain with the Human Rights Council. Chiunguzeni noted US concerns about the effectiveness of the Human Rights Council, but said he felt it a better effort to work to improve the council. Chiunguzeni indicated Malawi would most likely continue to abstain from voting on one-country resolutions as well as no action motions but agreed to give the U.S. viewpoint on no action motions more consideration. Emboff pointed out Malawi's repeated votes in favor of resolutions concerning North Korea. Chiunguzeni admitted it was part of a negotiation Malawi had with the government of Japan and that Malawi would prefer to abstain on that resolution as well. ¶2. (C) Chiunguzeni also said that as there appeared to be new breakthroughs in a power-sharing agreement between opposition and ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe, Malawi would prefer to wait to see the outcomes before even considering discussion on a resolution concerning Zimbabwe. Similarly, Chiunguzeni commented that the African Union was still actively engaged with the government of Sudan, particularly on the issue of Al-Bashir and the International Criminal Court, and that Malawi would not favor any talk of resolutions that could derail the African Union. Chiunguzeni noted U.S. concerns on the defamation of religion resolution and Gunda promised that Malawi would read the resolution thoroughly before making a decision. Finally, Chiunguzeni said Malawi would need to review the UN Declaration on Prisoners of Conscience before he could make a substantive comment regarding the issue. SULLIVAN