ARGENTINA: FORMAL REQUEST FOR U.S. SIGNATURE ON CONVENTION

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001039 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA PGOV AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: FORMAL REQUEST FOR U.S. SIGNATURE ON CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF ALL PERSONS FROM ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES ¶1. Embassy received via Diplomatic Note a letter dated September 10 from Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Taiana to Secretary Clinton in which Argentina requests U.S. support for the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. Taiana requests that we sign or announce our intention to sign the instrument at the United Nations General Assembly. Embassy translation of the letter from Spanish follows in paragraph two. ¶2. Begin Text BUENOS AIRES, September 10, 2009 Dear Secretary Clinton: I have the pleasure of writing to you regarding the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, which Argentina attaches great importance. The Convention, which was adopted by a consensus of the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, is the result of twenty-five years of constant efforts by international human rights movements and several years of systematic work on the part of the international community. It is the first binding, universal legal instrument dedicated entirely to this topic, which acknowledges, among other things, that the widespread or systematic practice of forced disappearances may constitute a crime against humanity, and reaffirms the victim's rights to reparations, justice and the truth. This Convention filled a gap in international rights protection by preventing violations of human rights and establishing States' obligations to investigate and punish those found responsible. My country was one of the principal advocates for this initiative and has actively participated in the negotiations that led to the adoption of this instrument. This advocacy stems from our own experience of massive violations of human rights that occurred between 1976 and 1983. Argentina recognizes the constructive participation of the United States of America during the negotiations of the abovementioned international convention. We hope that your government favorably considers becoming a Party to this Convention and signs the instrument, or at least announces its intention to do so in the upcoming session of the General Assembly. The addition of the United States to the Convention's group of signatory states would provide a critical impulse towards making this instrument enter into force. With the assurances of my highest consideration. Jorge E. Taiana Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship End Text. ¶3. Embassy will provide Spanish language text to WHA/BSC. KELLY