ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE - UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS

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