BELGIUM'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE 12TH SESSION OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001469

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED TEXT)

SIPDIS

STATE PASS EUR/WE, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, USUN-W FOR JENNIFER
SIMON, MISSION GENEVA FOR MARK CASSAYRE, ANNA CHAMBERS,
MELANIE KHANNA AND ANNA MANSFIELD, USUN/NEW YORK FOR CRAIG
KUEHL, JOHN SAMMIS AND LAURIE PHIPPS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM UN PINR BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE 12TH SESSION OF THE
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

REF: BRUSSELS 1235

Classified By: RICHARD EASON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary: The Belgian MFA Human Rights Department
coordinator, Lieke Biesemans, requested earlier consultation
on resolutions similar to the one brought by the U.S. on
Freedom of Expression in the UN Human Rights Council (HRC)
12th Session in the future. She said Belgium was concerned
about the "traditional values" resolution. She gave four
reasons for Belgium's abstention on the Goldstone report
vote. She made it clear that Belgium would not welcome Iran
on the HRC and strongly supported the country resolution on
Iran. She urged caution on next year's review of the
administration of the Council, as she fears that any changes
will likely be for the worse. End Summary.

Introduction
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2. (C) Poloff and Polintern met with Lieke Biesemans, Human
Rights Attach and section coordinator for the Belgian MFA,
on October 20 to discuss the 12th Session of the HRC covering
freedom of expression, traditional values, and the Goldstone
Report. Biesemans also offered Belgium's views on Iran as
well as the upcoming review of the HRC itself.

Freedom of Expression Resolution
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3. (C) Concerning the U.S.-Egypt sponsored resolution on
freedom of expression, Biesemans reiterated Belgium's initial
opposition to the draft resolution based on linguistic
redlines. She said Belgium believes the concept of human
rights applies to protection of individuals, not groups of
people, as the first draft of the resolution implied.
Biesemans noted that Belgium's future interpretations of
human rights will continue to reflect the view that the HRC
has the responsibility to protect individuals first and
foremost. In addition, Biesemans asked that Belgium be
notified of any similar resolutions, especially during the UN
3rd Committee this year.


Traditional Values Resolution
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4. (C) Biesemans expressed frustrations with the Russian
"traditional values" resolution because of its potential to
dilute the universality of human rights. Although the text
itself was not highly controversial, she said the ambiguity
of the resolution was unacceptable to both Belgium and the
EU. Biesemans commended the teamwork and cooperation between
the United States and Belgium on this issue, despite the
outcome. Biesemans said Belgium contributed, albeit
reluctantly, to early drafts of the resolution. The Belgians
were surprised that the Russians accepted their proposed
amendments. However, at the last minute, due to a
significant change in the title of the resolution, Belgium
was no longer able to support the resolution and voted
against it.

Goldstone Report and Resolution
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5. (C) On resolution (A/HRC/S-12/L.1) endorsing the
recommendations in the Goldstone Report, Biesemans said
Belgium abstained for four reasons: 1. Belgium supported the
Human Rights Council's authority to establish and send a
fact-finding mission with a credible team; 2. Belgium
considered Goldstone a serious reporter operating under a
fair mandate; 3. Belgium viewed the HRC resolution as a
non-issue because it believed the report would go before the
General Assembly regardless; and, 4. Belgium agreed with the
recommendation in the report that advised both sides to
conduct their own investigations of human rights violations.
Biesemans concluded that it was "intellectually logical" for
Belgium to abstain, but at the same time admitted the report
could have presented a more accurate and balanced picture.



Iran's Candidacy for Membership on Human Rights Council


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6. (C) Biesemans mentioned Belgium's concern about Iran's
candidacy for membership on the HRC, due to its history of
civil rights violations. She also noted that Qatar is
considering running against Iran. Biesemans wanted to know
what the current U.S. position is on this issue, knowing that
Iran may be the regional favorite. Belgium remains very
concerned that an Iranian seat on the Human Rights Council
would further diminish the credibility and legitimacy of the
HRC.


7. (C) Biesemans said Canada's country resolution against
Iran was a high priority for Belgium. She suggested that
strengthening the language of the resolution would be the
best way to exert international pressure on Iran. Iran
claims a specific country resolution is unnecessary because
of its upcoming Universal Periodic Review in 2010. Biesemans
rejected Iran's argument and insisted on mandate to review
Iran's Human Rights Performance.


Upcoming Review of the Human Rights Council
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8. (C) Biesemans urged caution over the HRC review in 2010,
stating that there is much to lose and little to gain. She
said that this was principally due to the strong numerical
voting advantage that non-likeminded countries enjoy in the
HRC.
GUTMAN