CAMEROON: GRC ON DEFAMATION OF RELIGION

C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 001026

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019
TAGS: PHUM UNGA CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: GRC ON DEFAMATION OF RELIGION

REF: A) STATE 122641 B) YAOUNDE 108921

Classified By: Poloff Carmelia Macfoy for reason 1.4 (d)


1. (C) On December 2, Poloff delivered ref A demarche on the
upcoming UN General Assembly(UNGA) vote on the "combating
defamation of religions" resolution to Prosper Bomba,
Director of UN and Multilateral Affairs at Cameroon,s
Ministry of External Relations. Poloff thanked Cameroon for
its recent abstention in the Third Committee and requested
Cameroon,s continued support. Similar to his statements in
Ref B, Bomba stated that Cameroon believes in religious
tolerance; however, he believes that there still
remains no clear definition of what is meant by defamation of
religion. Post had previously sent him a clarification of
what the USG understands to be defamation of religion. He
acknowledged receipt but still maintained that there was no
international consensus on the term and that further
discussion is needed.


2. (C) Bomba stated that Cameroon, as a member of groups like
the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),G-77, and
the African Union, generally would follow the examples of
such groups. Unless these positions change or unless there
is a change in policy direction from his hierarchy, Cameroon
is likely to continue abstaining on defamation of religion.


3. (C) When asked why Cameroon abstains at the UNGA Third
Committee on defamation of religion issues but votes yes at
the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he seemed non-plussed
and stated that the two resolutions are different. However,
he acknowledged that Cameroon needed to harmonize its voting
records and that he would point out the discrepancy to his
superiors. He reiterated, that the likely outcome in votes
on this issue in the UNGA and probably in the HRC would be an
abstention.
GARVEY