NORWAY (ALMOST) FULLY ON BOARD WITH USG HRC

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000547

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN UNHRC
SUBJECT: NORWAY (ALMOST) FULLY ON BOARD WITH USG HRC
PRIORITIES

REF: STATE 093358

Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Cherrie Daniels
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: The Norwegian Coordinator for Human Rights
Council (HRC) issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA),Vebjorn Heines, pronounced reftel demache's talking
points "more or less completely consistent with Norway's
priorities." Heines put special emphasis on Norway's
"procedural philosophy" at the HRC, saying that achieving our
common substantive objectives will require a transparent and
collaborative approach that targets moderate countries in
Africa and Asia, rather than one based on secret strategizing
among the likeminded. End Summary.


2. (C) Heines agreed wholeheartedly with three of our four
top general priorities, stating that on the fourth--advancing
the principles of accountability, transparency, and good
governance, Norway was in fact in the lead. He mentioned
that, for example, Norway had instituted a practice whereby,
prior to each session, there is an open information meeting
in which countries preparing initiatives present their
intentions.

NUANCE ON ISRAEL ISSUES: FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE
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3. (C) On the third priority, "working to remove the systemic
bias in the HRC against Israel," Heines was at pains to say
that his message was that we can "work together" on this
issue, as Norway agrees that "there are too many special
sessions on the Middle East and too many resolutions," but
"we don't want to go so far as to characterize" the HRC in
this way, because it is counterproductive. Further, "we are
concerned about a biased approach, but by far most of the
energy in the Council is directed towards other issues,"
among which he listed Sudan, Myanmar, and the DPRK. Heines
also emphasized that Norway was willing to work with Israel,
as their recent firm decision not to oppose Israel's
membership in JUSCANZ (a collaborative informational group)
shows. Heines also pointed out that Norway, as coordinator
of the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG) in Geneva
recently had arranged for an Ambassadorial level meeting at
which the Israeli Ambassador was able to make a presentation
explaining various policies--the first time in five years
that this had happened.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND "PROCEDURAL PHILOSOPHY"
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4. (C) On a freedom of expression resolution, Heines affirmed
that this was a "key priority" for Norway. He seemed pained
as he said that he hoped that those presenting the resolution
will have learned from the failure of similar initiatives in
March and June. Heines said that the process that led to
those failures was "too closed," and took this opportunity to
expound on Norway's "procedural philosophy" toward success at
the HRC. Specifically with regard to the impending freedom
of expression resolution, Heines said that Norway aimed for a
more open process, with enough time for consideration, and a
full discussion with civil society groups. Speaking more
generally, Heines said that the nature of the HRC meant that
confrontational approaches simply will not work whenever the
co-sponsors of a resolution do not already constitute a
majority. "If you want a consensual result, you need to
prepare well and have an inclusive and transparent process,"
he said. The dominant modus oparandi on most issues must be
for the Western countries to target moderate countries in
Africa and Asia in order to forge an acceptable result and
consensus. Norway did this, said Heines, in the recent Human
Rights Defenders resolution. "The other approach has
failed," concluded Heines.

"WE HAVE LOTS OF CONFIDENCE IN YOU"
--------------


5. (C) On issues of Somalia, Burundi, and Cambodia, Heines
said that Norway and the U.S. were in total agreement and
want to work together. On Somalia, Heines said that Norway
wants the Independent Expert (IE) to be more relevant and
more useful. On Burundi, Heines said Norway shared our
position that the mandate of the IE should be extended
because there still are not enough national human rights
institutions in place in Burundi. Norway will work closely
on Somalia and Burundi issues with the U.S. in Geneva, Heines
assured. On Cambodia, Heines said Norway will support the
U.S. position, but this issue is not as great a priority for
Norway. He characterized the Colombian initiative on
discriminatory laws against women as a Norwegian initiative
which Norway worked with Colombia to have them propose.



6. (C) On the traditional values resolution, Heines said that
the head of the human rights section of the Russian MFA in
Moscow is personally close to the Orthodox Church, and the
resolution, which Heines believes was directed at sexual
orientation issues, is so all encompassing as to oppose
everything the Norwegian government stands for on human
rights. Heines said he has told this to his Russian
colleagues. Norway would only vote for such a resolution if
it was changed to the point where it was unrecognizable and
meaningless for the interest groups that lie behind it.
HEG