VOTING INSTRUCTIONS - UN CONVENTION AGAINST

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 105357 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREL SUBJECT: VOTING INSTRUCTIONS - UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE CONFERENCE OF STATES PARTIES Classified By: IO A/S Esther Brimmer for reasons E.O. 12958 1.5(b),(d) 1.(U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (SBU) The Committee Against Torture is a body of 10 independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention Against Torture by States Parties. The States Parties to the Convention elect the Committee members for three year terms. The United States was not able to nominate anyone for this election as we already have a representative on the Committee, Ms. Felice Gaer. The next election is Tuesday, October 13. Election is by secret ballot and the five candidates that receive the most votes will be elected. There are five available slots. Five of the candidates are incumbents (China, Norway, Morocco, Spain, Russia). The Italian candidate has strong credentials; however, we understand he is unlikely to earn enough votes to unseat any of the incumbents. While not familiar with the Algerian candidate, Professor Fatina Hadj Salah, Ms. Gaer reports that the Algerians presentation to the CAT was very weak and their intention is to weaken standards dealing with the prevention of torture. We have also received unfavorable reviews of the Spanish, Russian, and Chinese candidates, Fernando Marino Menendez, Alexander Kovalev, and Xuexian Wang, respectively. There may also be candidates from Libya, Mr. El Hadi Salem Hammed, and Madagascar, Mr. Lucien Rakotoniaina. The Libyans have challenged parts of the Convention and Ms. Gaer does not recommend we support their candidate. ¶3. (C) USDEL is authorized to vote for the following candidates in the election for the Committee Against Torture -Ms. Essadia BELMIR (Morocco) -Ms. Nora SVEAASS (Norway) -Mr. Alessio BRUNI (Italy) CLINTON