Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERN322
2009-08-03 06:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bern
Cable title:  

SWISS INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE

Tags:  PHUM UN SZ 
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VZCZCXYZ0009
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSW #0322 2150610
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030610Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5978
UNCLAS BERN 000322 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR DRL/MLGA KRISTEN MCGEENY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE

REF: STATE 70129

UNCLAS BERN 000322

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR DRL/MLGA KRISTEN MCGEENY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE

REF: STATE 70129


1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel request July 27 to Ralf
Heckner, Head of the Human Rights Policy Section in the Swiss
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Heckner was
encouraged by the recent USG response to the issue of
torture, noting that the decision to close the detention
center at Guantanamo Bay was "great news" and would allow the
U.S. to "regain the moral high ground." Heckner also noted
that the Swiss were pleased the USG had decided to join the
UN Human Rights Council.


2. (SBU) In response to reftel, Heckner described the
following initiatives undertaken by the Swiss to counter
torture:

-- On the multilateral front, the Swiss support the UN
Special Procedures to investigate and monitor human rights
problems. Switzerland provides the funding for one of the
assistants to the Special Rapporteur on Torture, and seconds
a FDFA officer to that position on a rotating basis.
Switzerland was instrumental in founding the Optional
Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in 2002,
even before Switzerland was a UN member;

-- The GoS routinely engages in bilateral diplomacy to
counter torture in other countries. For example, Heckner
said that Switzerland consistently calls on Iran to end its
use of corporal punishment;

-- Also bilaterally, the FDFA encourages its ambassadors to
follow up with host countries that have been assessed by the
Special Rapporteur on Torture six months after the
Rapporteur's visit. Heckner said that this reinforces to the
host country the importance of the Special Rapporteur's
findings and recommendations;

-- The GoS has sent experts to China, Vietnam, and Russia to
train prison directors and police officers on how to manage
detainees humanely. In Russia, Switzerland has also worked
with the directors of juvenile detention facilities toward
this end;

-- The GoS provides approximately USD 235,000 (CHF 250,000)
annually to each of the following Geneva-based NGOs that are
working to counter torture:

a. Association pour la prevention de la torture (APT)

b. Organisation mondial contre la torture (OMCT)
CARTER