BELGIUM:USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000491 SIPDIS STATE PASS EUR/WE, EUR/PGI, IO/RHS, AND DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREL BE SUBJECT: BELGIUM:USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: A. STATE 31175 ¶B. SECTO 27 Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason for reasons 1 .4 (B) and (D). (C) Poloff delivered ref A points April 1 to MFA Director for Human Rights France Chainaye. Chainaye said Belgium was pleased that the U.S. was running for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC),and referred to the similar statement made by Minister De Gucht when he met with Secretary Clinton (ref B). When asked if Belgium would support the U.S. candidacy, Chainaye said Belgium had already promised votes to Norway and New Zealand. However, she said that New Zealand was withdrawing its candidacy according to information from the Belgian Embassy in Canberra, and that Belgium would be able to support the U.S. once New Zealand formally withdrew. She added that New Zealand was the obvious country to back out with the U.S. announcement, and said that Belgium would not have withdrawn in any case. She was hopeful strong U.S. participation could help change the direction the UNHRC has been heading, but said it would be hard work. She acknowledged the U.S. and the EU had differences on certain issues, but were partners for the most part in upholding strong human rights standards. BUSH .