INDIA'S STANCE ON 64TH UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE ISSUES

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002176 SIPDIS FOR IO/HR DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UN IN SUBJECT: INDIA'S STANCE ON 64TH UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE ISSUES REF: A. SECSTATE 109397 ¶B. SECSTATE 108921 -------------- Country-Specific Resolutions: Iran, Burma, and North Korea -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel demarches to Ministry of External Affairs UN Economic and Social Division Under Secretary Abhishek Verma on October 23. Verma emphasized that despite India,s longstanding opposition to Country Specific Resolutions (CSR) as they lead to &finger pointing and intensive monitoring,8 the GOI would take a nuanced stance on the CSRs for Iran, Burma, and the Democratic People,s Republic of Korea (DPRK). While strongly hinting that India would likely abstain from voting on Burma and DPRK Human Rights resolutions, Verma told Poloff that the GOI would formulate a decision regarding Iran at the highest levels. -------------- Defamation of Religions -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Poloff stressed to Verma the harmful impact that a &defamation of religions8 resolution could have on freedom of expression. Acknowledging that such efforts to suppress speech usually lead to greater intolerance, Verma shared that the Indian Government would not support such a resolution -- primarily because as written, the &defamation of religions8 resolution singles out Islam )- but the GOI is likely to abstain, rather than vote against, such a resolution if/when it comes to a vote. -------------- Rights of the Child and Discrimination Against Women -------------- ¶3. (U) With respect to the resolution co-sponsored by Colombia and Mexico on the elimination of discrimination against women, Verma was confident of the GOI,s continuing support. He also expressed GOI,s interest in seeing to fruition a resolution on the Rights of the Child, but the GOI would have to study in detail the resolution,s language before deciding its position, explained Verma. -------------- Elections Resolution -------------- ¶4. (U) Verma offered no substantive reply on the GOI position regarding the traditional biennial resolution on free elections. Post will continue to engage with MEA on this matter and our other goals for the UN General Assembly,s Third Committee and will report progress septel. ROEMER