ESTONIA ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000323 DEPT FOR EUR/NB JPETERSON SIPDIS E.O. 12958 DECL: 09/17/2018 TAGS: PGOV UNGA PHUM EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES Classified by: DCM Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) REF: STATE 95334 ¶1. (SBU) Poloff discussed points in reftel with Tiina Krevald, UN Desk Officer at the Estonian MFA. According to Krevald, Estonia's four priority initiatives for the UNGA Third Committee, which they share with the EU, are the abolishment of the death penalty, a resolution on the defamation of religion, and statements supporting the rights of the child and sexual orientation/gender identity. In particular, Krevald classified the death penalty as a "burning" issue. ¶2. (C) According to Krevald, in the past, Estonia has supported and co-lobbied the Canadian resolution on Iran and plans to do so again this year. Estonia is very aware that one vote kept the Iran resolution from passing last year and as a result, the Government of Estonia (GOE) is concerned with the effect of no-action motions and will do their best to avoid them this year. As for resolutions on Burma and DPRK, Estonia will support the EU common position currently being considered in the EU working group on Human Rights in Brussels. On Zimbabwe, Estonia shares the EU view of waiting to see how events unfold in the country before taking a final decision. Krevald also stated that the GOE is waiting to see a U.S. draft on the proposed Freedom of Expression resolution before forming an opinion on it. ¶3. (C) With respect to the Declaration on Prisoners of Conscience, Krevald commented that after discussions with other Estonian missions in Geneva and New York, Estonia can say in principle that they will do their best in supporting the U.S. and the Declaration. At the same time, they have to be realistic about limited staff in New York and Geneva, as well as their overall representation in the capitals of the EU Member States, which is quite "reserved." PHILLIPS