UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON RELIGIOUS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001140 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF AORC UNGA SUBJECT: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE AND MORE ¶1. On November 25, the UN General Assembly Third Committee passed the following draft resolutions by consensus: A/C.3/63/L.34/Revision 1, entitled "Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief;" A/C.3/63/L.39/Revision 1, entitled "Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism;" and A/C.3/63/L.46/Revision 1, entitled "Committee on the Rights of the Child." The United States disassociated from consensus on A/C.3/63/L.46/Revision 1. The United States is a co-sponsor of A/C.3/63/L.39/Revision 1. The United States issued an Explanation of Position on A/C.3/L.46, Revision 1; the complete text of this and all other U.S. statements can be found at www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov. ¶2. The Committee also adopted three draft resolutions by vote. Draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.3/Revision 1, entitled "Realizing the Millennium Development Goals for persons with disabilities through the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," passed in a vote of 176 in favor (U.S.),none against, and no abstentions. An amendment proposed by Uganda on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, inserting a Preambular Paragraph with a reference to foreign occupation, passed in a vote of 67 in favor, 41 against (U.S.),and 52 abstentions. Draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.57*, entitled "Report of the Human Rights Council," passed in a vote of 117 in favor, five against (U.S.),and 55 abstentions. Draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.51/Revision 1, entitled "Global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action," passed in a vote of 130 in favor, 11 against (U.S.),and 35 abstentions. The United States issued Explanations of Vote (EOVs) on all three draft resolutions adopted by vote. ¶3. During the discussion on draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.57*, Israel noted its regret over the Human Rights Council's (HRC's) biased treatment of Israel, stating that when Israel cannot be blamed, the Council "remains silent." France explained that the European Union would abstain on the vote because of a number of problems with the text, and said that the co-sponsors' meetings on the draft resolution had not been open and transparent. The United States reiterated its concerns regarding the HRC, including its failure to address some of the world's most pressing human rights situations, prompting strong responses from Zimbabwe and Cuba. During a general statement, Zimbabwe expressed its concern that the United States was "consistently obsessed" with Zimbabwe, and said that the United States would not become an HRC member out of fear of "being exposed" for its human rights violations. In a Right of Reply statement, Cuba accused the United States of illegally occupying Cuban territory, called the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay a "concentration camp" where serious human rights violations were taking place, and said that the United States was feared but not respected in the world because it had "killed millions," "told lies" and "institutionalized torture." Cuba also said the United States would not submit to the HRC's Universal Periodic Review because it lacked the "prestigious moral authority," to undergo the process. ¶4. During the discussion on draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.51/Revision 1, Israel and the United States expressed strong concern regarding the Durban Review Conference's biased treatment of Israel. The Israeli delegate noted her government's regret that the Conference had been "hijacked" from its original purpose, and was now focused on "demonizing" Israel. Her government would not participate in another "carnival of hatred," she said. The United States noted its disappointment that the Conference continued to single out Israel, and said that it did not expect this year's conference to be any different than the first. Wolff