DJIBOUTI: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DEMARCHE DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 001107 SENSITIVE SIPDIS AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PASS TO AMCONSUL AMSTERDAM E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/09/13 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN UNHRC DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 93373 CLASSIFIED BY: J. Swan, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (SBU) PolOff discussed reftel points September 13 with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Multilateral Relations Mariam Ahmed Goumaneh. Goumaneh welcomed U.S. re-engagement with the Human Rights Council (HRC). She agreed that it was helpful for the U.S. to be back at the table, commenting that, as a French saying has it, "the one who is not there is always wrong." Djibouti's Ambassador in Geneva, Goumaneh said, was working closely with other Africa Group members on HRC questions. ¶2. (C) On a Freedom of Expression resolution, Goumaneh reiterated that as it normally does, Djibouti would likely support any Organization of the Islamic Conference consensus position. Goumaneh seemed receptive to U.S. points regarding Russia's proposed "Traditional Values" resolution, especially the argument that such a vaguely defined term could be used to defend practices that Djibouti has been consistently fighting against, such as female genital mutilation. She offered no substantive comment on any of the country-specific resolutions. ¶3. (SBU) Post will report any further substantive responses. SWAN