Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08QUITO878
2008-09-11 20:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:
ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE - UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS
VZCZCXYZ0002 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHQT #0878 2552017 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 112017Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9381 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7739 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3984 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3178 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ SEP LIMA 2799 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 3798 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0155 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0406
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000878
SIPDIS
IO/RHS (REBECCA JOVIN),DRL/MLGA (LYNN SICADE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2028
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE - UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS
PRIORITIES
REF: STATE 93981
Classified By: DCM Andrew Chritton for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000878
SIPDIS
IO/RHS (REBECCA JOVIN),DRL/MLGA (LYNN SICADE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2028
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE - UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS
PRIORITIES
REF: STATE 93981
Classified By: DCM Andrew Chritton for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel points to MFA Multilateral
Affairs Director General Lourdes Puma on September 5. Puma
reiterated the GOE's non-interventionist mantra, saying that
the GOE's position on human rights issues was that they
should be handled exclusively by the UN Human Rights Council,
and not through UNGA Third Committee country specific
resolutions. Puma did agree, however, that no-action motions
prevent any informative or valuable debate on human rights
issues, although the GOE voted previously in favor of
no-action motions on certain country specific resolutions.
2. (C) On thematic resolutions, Puma expressed the need to
find a balance between freedom of expression and the abuses
by some communication media that defamed religious groups,
adding that rights to freedom of expression required
responsibility as well. PolOff noted that any attempt to
limit freedom of expression could set a dangerous precedent
and give justification to those who would abuse power to
prevent others from expressing or practicing their religious
beliefs. Puma reiterated that the GOE was sensitive to the
distribution of false information by the media, due to its
own experiences following the March 1 attack by Colombia
against the FARC in Ecuadorian territory. Puma noted that
the GOE does support the Declaration at the UN on Prisoners
of Conscience, and would likely support any follow-on
initiatives.
Hodges
SIPDIS
IO/RHS (REBECCA JOVIN),DRL/MLGA (LYNN SICADE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2028
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE - UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS
PRIORITIES
REF: STATE 93981
Classified By: DCM Andrew Chritton for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel points to MFA Multilateral
Affairs Director General Lourdes Puma on September 5. Puma
reiterated the GOE's non-interventionist mantra, saying that
the GOE's position on human rights issues was that they
should be handled exclusively by the UN Human Rights Council,
and not through UNGA Third Committee country specific
resolutions. Puma did agree, however, that no-action motions
prevent any informative or valuable debate on human rights
issues, although the GOE voted previously in favor of
no-action motions on certain country specific resolutions.
2. (C) On thematic resolutions, Puma expressed the need to
find a balance between freedom of expression and the abuses
by some communication media that defamed religious groups,
adding that rights to freedom of expression required
responsibility as well. PolOff noted that any attempt to
limit freedom of expression could set a dangerous precedent
and give justification to those who would abuse power to
prevent others from expressing or practicing their religious
beliefs. Puma reiterated that the GOE was sensitive to the
distribution of false information by the media, due to its
own experiences following the March 1 attack by Colombia
against the FARC in Ecuadorian territory. Puma noted that
the GOE does support the Declaration at the UN on Prisoners
of Conscience, and would likely support any follow-on
initiatives.
Hodges