Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PORTLOUIS414
2009-12-24 08:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Louis
Cable title:
MAURITIUS AND THE "DEFAMATION OF RELIGION" ISSUE
how-toVZCZCXRO4953 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHPL #0414 3580832 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 240832Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4896 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0316 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0198
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000414
SIPDIS
AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV; DRL/IRF FOR ALICIA JUSKEWYCZ; DRL
FOR JOANNELLA MORALES; DRL FOR NASREEN BADAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL KISL KDEM PGOV OPDC MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS AND THE "DEFAMATION OF RELIGION" ISSUE
REF: SECSTATE 128320
Classified By: CDA Barrie Walkley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000414
SIPDIS
AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV; DRL/IRF FOR ALICIA JUSKEWYCZ; DRL
FOR JOANNELLA MORALES; DRL FOR NASREEN BADAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL KISL KDEM PGOV OPDC MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS AND THE "DEFAMATION OF RELIGION" ISSUE
REF: SECSTATE 128320
Classified By: CDA Barrie Walkley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) After initially voting in favor of a resolution on
defamation of religions, Mauritius -- thanks in part to U.S.
initiatives -- has since 2008 changed its vote to an
abstention. Post believes that it will be extremely
difficult at this point to convince Mauritius to be more
active on the issue -- partly due to the country's solidarity
with the African bloc, but mostly due to domestic constraints
in an election year. Mauritius is a multi-ethnic country
where Hindus (48%),Christians (33%),and Muslims (17%) live
side by side; however, under an atmosphere of apparent
tolerance lies inter-community tensions. (NOTE: In
Mauritius, ethnic groups are referred to as communities. END
NOTE) The key to winning an election in this multi-ethnic
environment is not to alienate any one particular community;
as a result, the government is currently unlikely to adopt
any positions that have religious overtones.
2. (C) COMMENT: The GOM may become more receptive to
demarches on "Defamation of Religion" matters once the
elections are over. (FYI: Elections could be held as early
as March/April 2010.) Until that point, the best we can hope
is to keep Mauritius in the abstention column on any
defamation of religions proposals. END COMMENT
WALKLEY
SIPDIS
AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV; DRL/IRF FOR ALICIA JUSKEWYCZ; DRL
FOR JOANNELLA MORALES; DRL FOR NASREEN BADAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL KISL KDEM PGOV OPDC MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS AND THE "DEFAMATION OF RELIGION" ISSUE
REF: SECSTATE 128320
Classified By: CDA Barrie Walkley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) After initially voting in favor of a resolution on
defamation of religions, Mauritius -- thanks in part to U.S.
initiatives -- has since 2008 changed its vote to an
abstention. Post believes that it will be extremely
difficult at this point to convince Mauritius to be more
active on the issue -- partly due to the country's solidarity
with the African bloc, but mostly due to domestic constraints
in an election year. Mauritius is a multi-ethnic country
where Hindus (48%),Christians (33%),and Muslims (17%) live
side by side; however, under an atmosphere of apparent
tolerance lies inter-community tensions. (NOTE: In
Mauritius, ethnic groups are referred to as communities. END
NOTE) The key to winning an election in this multi-ethnic
environment is not to alienate any one particular community;
as a result, the government is currently unlikely to adopt
any positions that have religious overtones.
2. (C) COMMENT: The GOM may become more receptive to
demarches on "Defamation of Religion" matters once the
elections are over. (FYI: Elections could be held as early
as March/April 2010.) Until that point, the best we can hope
is to keep Mauritius in the abstention column on any
defamation of religions proposals. END COMMENT
WALKLEY