Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRAGUE708
2009-12-04 15:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

CZECH REPUBLIC PLANNING TO RUN IN 2011 FOR UN

Tags:  PHUM KDEM EZ EUN PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7976
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHPG #0708 3381545
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 041545Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1988
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0235
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0276
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000708 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/HR, EUR/CE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2014
TAGS: PHUM KDEM EZ EUN PREL
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC PLANNING TO RUN IN 2011 FOR UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

REF: A. PRAGUE 707

B. STATE 120835

Classified By: Acting POLEC Counselor Michael Dixon for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000708

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/HR, EUR/CE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2014
TAGS: PHUM KDEM EZ EUN PREL
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC PLANNING TO RUN IN 2011 FOR UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

REF: A. PRAGUE 707

B. STATE 120835

Classified By: Acting POLEC Counselor Michael Dixon for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (SBU) In a conversation covering several Human Rights
Council matters, such as the upcoming DPRK Universal Periodic
Review (Ref A),Czech MFA Human Rights and Transition Policy
officer Jan Kaminek commented in depth on the Spring 2010
Human Rights Council elections. Kaminek indicated that the
Czechs were not planning to compete for a seat in 2010,
rather, they have announced their candidacy for 2011. While
the Czechs participate in both the Western Europe and Others
Group (WEOG) and the Eastern Europe Group (EEG),they will
compete within the EEG in 2011. (Note: In 2008 MFA Human
Rights and Transition Policy Director Gabriela Dlouha noted
to emboff that while the Czechs had considered competing for
a seat on the UNHRC in 2008, the Czechs decided not to pursue
this and compete at a later date because they expected to be
stretched with the Czech EU Presidency in the first half of

2009. End Note.)

--------------
Czechs Comment on WEOG and EEG Candidates
--------------

2. (C) According to Kaminek, only Spain and Switzerland have
announced their intentions to run for the two open WEOG seats
in spring 2010 elections. The Czechs do not anticipate
others will compete within this group. In the EEG there will
be two vacancies and Poland, Croatia, and Moldova have
announced their candidacy. The Czechs have committed to
support the candidacy of Poland and Moldova. In spring 2011,
the Czechs will compete against Romania and Georgia for one
of the two open seats within the EEG. Kaminek noted that
while the Czechs understand the USG rarely announces our
support for a particular country until very soon before an
election, Kaminek stated that the Czech Republic would
welcome USG support of its candidacy.

--------------
Czech Alignment, Capacity, and Group Dynamics
--------------

3. (C) Comment: Per reftel request for post's input regarding
the potential suitability for membership in the Human Rights
Council, the Czech Republic is a nation committed to the
principles of human rights and it is a vigorous advocate of
these ideals around the globe.

Alignment: The Czech Republic consistently speaks out on
human rights, and is particularly well known for its efforts
in Cuba, Burma and Belarus. They are also unabashed about
pressing within the European Union for stronger measures
against countries that abuse human rights and the Czech views
on human rights matters closely align with the USG (with the
key exception of how they, and the rest of the EU member
states, view capital punishment).

Capacity: Over the last few years the GOCR has sponsored
several conferences with dissidents from oppressive regimes.
While the MFA has a relatively small budget, it has
identified priority countries for assistance in human rights,
among which are Cuba, Burma, and Belarus. The MFA both
partners and helps fund some of the work of the Czech NGO
community working in these priority nations. The Czech MFA
policy makers work closely with their staff assigned to
Geneva. The MFA Director of Human Rights and
Transformational Policy, Gabriela Dlouha, leads this effort
and has been working in the field of Human Rights for several
years. She is well respected and known within the EU.

Group Dynamics: The Czech Republic, as a part of the
European Union, has a close working partnership with the USG.
At post we have found the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be
especially open and collegial. We have no reason to
anticipate any change in the Czech Republic's willingness to
continue this engagement.

Thompson-Jones