CANADA SUPPORTS US GOALS FOR UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001199 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/RHS - R. JOVIN AND DRL/MLGA L. SICADE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UN CA SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS US GOALS FOR UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE REF: A. A) STATE 95334 ¶B. B) OTTAWA 758 (TRILATERAL HUMAN RIGHTS MEETINGS) Classified By: A/PolMinCouns Kurt van der Walde, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). ¶1. (C) Canada supports broadly U.S. goals for the UNGA Third Committee, according to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade HUMAN RIGHTS desk officer Cyndy Nelson. Nelson said however she could only offer a preliminary assessment, as Canada is in the middle of an election campaign. Nonetheless, the election outcome is not likely to change Canada's positions in the Third Committee, she said. Canada will support country-specific resolutions on Burma and the DPRK, said Nelson, and plans to offer a resolution on Iran. Canada has, however, only informed its closest partners that it will offer an Iran resolution this year. In the coming weeks, Canada plans to meet in New York with its partners, including the U.S., to discuss the resolution. Canada appreciates U.S. support on the Iran resolution and welcomes U.S. efforts to lobby on its behalf, said Nelson. ¶2. (C) Canada agrees that the gravity of the HUMAN RIGHTS situation in Zimbabwe warrants specific attention. While the recent power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe could temper enthusiasm for a resolution, said Nelson, Canada does not view the agreement as a reason to forego a country-specific resolution on Zimbabwe. Canada issued targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe on September 5, according to Nelson. Canada agrees that it will be more difficult to convince the Third Committee to pass a Sudan-specific resolution and is worried that attempting to do so could undermine the Security Council's efforts there, said Nelson. Canada strongly supports extending the mandate of the UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC) Special Rapporteur on the HUMAN RIGHTS situation in Sudan. ¶3. (C) Canada shares U.S. opposition to no-action motions and defamation of religion resolutions, said Nelson (ref B). Canada believes that defamation of religion will continue to be a charged issue in the Third Committee and agrees that opponents need to organize a coordinated and concerted response. Canada also shares U.S. disappointment at the HRC's decision to require the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to report on "abuses" of freedoms, but views this as a difficulty for the Special Rapporteur, rather than as an attack on HUMAN RIGHTS within the HRC, said Nelson. Canada does not have any ideas on how to restore the UN's traditional support for freedom of expression at this time. ¶4. (C) Canadian officials will provide additional thoughts on ref A demarche points, including on prisoners of conscience, at a September 16 digital video conference with State Department DRL and IO officials, said Nelson. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS