Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09OTTAWA153
2009-02-27 22:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA WELCOMES U.S. DURBAN WITHDRAWAL AND UN HRC
how-toVZCZCXRO5522 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHMT RUEHNP RUEHQU RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVC DE RUEHOT #0153 0582201 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 272201Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9149 INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0119 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 1407 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0847 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1489 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 0524 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1314 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0525
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000153
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DRL (OSTERMEIR),IO/RHS, WHA/CAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2014
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UNHRC CA
SUBJECT: CANADA WELCOMES U.S. DURBAN WITHDRAWAL AND UN HRC
RE-ENGAGEMENT
REF: STATE 18282
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000153
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DRL (OSTERMEIR),IO/RHS, WHA/CAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2014
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UNHRC CA
SUBJECT: CANADA WELCOMES U.S. DURBAN WITHDRAWAL AND UN HRC
RE-ENGAGEMENT
REF: STATE 18282
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(DFAIT) Deputy Director for Human Rights Policy Chantale
Walker on February 27 welcomed the U.S. decision to
discontinue negotiations on the current text of the Durban
Review Conference (reftel). Walker noted that Canada shares
the U.S. concerns with the text, namely the singling out of
one country, the attempt to regulate "defamation of
religion," and the language on reparations for slavery.
Walker said that Ottawa was not surprised by the negative
direction taken by the Durban Review Conference Working
Group, adding that it did not expect any better from such a
tainted process. Walker stated that Canada will maintain its
absence from the Durban process, and is pleased that the U.S.
and Canada are now back on the same page.
2. (C) Walker also welcomed the U.S. decision to resume
participation as an observer at this month's UN Human Rights
Council session, noting that it "will be good to have the
U.S. back again." Walker emphasized that Canada is strongly
committed to improving the effectiveness and performance of
the UN HRC and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism.
Canada will soon be engaging with Canadian civil society
organizations to follow up on the UPR recommendations.
According to DFAIT Deputy Director for Human Rights Policy
Michael McCulloch, the October 2008 Canadian federal
elections had hindered the government's ability to engage
with civil society in preparation for its UPR. Walker stated
that Canada had already observed some positive outcomes from
the latest UPR round, with some countries making improvements
in their human rights performance.
3. (C) Comment: Canada closely followed the recent U.S.
policy review on the Durban process, and viewed the U.S.
effort to engage with the Durban Review Conference Working
Group with concern. Canada looks forward to continued close
cooperation with the U.S. in the UN HRC and other fora, and,
as a close friend and partner, always values highly advance
consultations before any U.S. decision that could leave
Canada isolated internationally.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
BREESE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DRL (OSTERMEIR),IO/RHS, WHA/CAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2014
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UNHRC CA
SUBJECT: CANADA WELCOMES U.S. DURBAN WITHDRAWAL AND UN HRC
RE-ENGAGEMENT
REF: STATE 18282
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(DFAIT) Deputy Director for Human Rights Policy Chantale
Walker on February 27 welcomed the U.S. decision to
discontinue negotiations on the current text of the Durban
Review Conference (reftel). Walker noted that Canada shares
the U.S. concerns with the text, namely the singling out of
one country, the attempt to regulate "defamation of
religion," and the language on reparations for slavery.
Walker said that Ottawa was not surprised by the negative
direction taken by the Durban Review Conference Working
Group, adding that it did not expect any better from such a
tainted process. Walker stated that Canada will maintain its
absence from the Durban process, and is pleased that the U.S.
and Canada are now back on the same page.
2. (C) Walker also welcomed the U.S. decision to resume
participation as an observer at this month's UN Human Rights
Council session, noting that it "will be good to have the
U.S. back again." Walker emphasized that Canada is strongly
committed to improving the effectiveness and performance of
the UN HRC and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism.
Canada will soon be engaging with Canadian civil society
organizations to follow up on the UPR recommendations.
According to DFAIT Deputy Director for Human Rights Policy
Michael McCulloch, the October 2008 Canadian federal
elections had hindered the government's ability to engage
with civil society in preparation for its UPR. Walker stated
that Canada had already observed some positive outcomes from
the latest UPR round, with some countries making improvements
in their human rights performance.
3. (C) Comment: Canada closely followed the recent U.S.
policy review on the Durban process, and viewed the U.S.
effort to engage with the Durban Review Conference Working
Group with concern. Canada looks forward to continued close
cooperation with the U.S. in the UN HRC and other fora, and,
as a close friend and partner, always values highly advance
consultations before any U.S. decision that could leave
Canada isolated internationally.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
BREESE