RESPONSE TO ACTION REQUEST: SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 000788 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM ML SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO ACTION REQUEST: SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: STATE 120835 Classified By: Political Counselor Peter Newman, Embassy Bamako, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1.(C) This is in response to the Department's reftel request for an assessment of Mali's suitability for membership on the Human Rights Council. Based on the criteria laid out, post does not recommend Malian membership on the Council at this time. Although Mali's human rights record is excellent compared to many other countries in the region, Mali has often proven reluctant to take a strong leadership role on human rights internationally. Its voting record in the General Assembly and in its previous term in the UNHRC is often at odds with that of the United States. Mali is as yet unwilling to break from African Union (AU) and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) positions on key issues. MILOVANOVIC