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 -------------- -------------- ¶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" -------------- -------------- 
¶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