TURKEY: USMISSION GENEVA CONSULTATIONS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000209

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2020
TAGS: PHUM PREL KIRF UN TU AORC
SUBJECT: TURKEY: USMISSION GENEVA CONSULTATIONS ON
DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS

REF: GENEVA 94

Classified By: POL Counselor Daniel O'Grady for reasons 1.4(b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. USMission Geneva Charge d'Affaires Griffiths
and Deputy Legal Adviser Mansfield visited Ankara February 1
to discuss the defamation of religions resolution and draft
treaty being planned by the OIC in the UN Human Rights
Council. They met with Turkey's Ambassador for Human Rights
Binnur Fertekligil, and the Directorate of Religious Affairs
Head of the Foreign Relations Department, Ali Dere, both of
whom supported the proposed U.S. Action Plan while
emphasizing the importance of differentiating between freedom
of expression and respect for religions. Ambassador Jeffrey
recommended the Spanish Government be asked to press Turkey
for support on this issue as well. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) At the MFA, Ambassador for Human Rights Binnur
Fertekligil stressed that the Islamic world is particularly
sensitive about the defamation of religion topic since there
has been an unfortunate trend associating Islam with violence
and terrorism, especially since the events of September 11.
Fertekligil said it is important to be open with OIC
countries about the likely negative political outcomes of a
treaty on defamation of religions. She emphasized that first
and foremost, the U.S. and EU countries should acknowledge
the sensitivities of OIC countries on this issue, while
explaining to the Islamic world that individuals -- not
religions -- are the holders of human rights. She said
freedom of expression is a must, but freedom of expression
should not make people feel rejected or insulted, and should
not create a hostile environment because that can lead to
violence. Fertekligil opined that freedom of expression in
the EU includes some exceptions/restrictions, and is
therefore different from how it is viewed in the U.S. She
added that it would be useful to have a written text that
would set out how to uphold the freedoms of religion and
expression with the notion that people nonetheless have
responsibilities in exercising their freedom of speech. She
mentioned hate speech as a good basis from which to make
those distinctions.


3. (SBU) Fertekligil noted that governments also need to work
hard to bring their citizens back to the mainstream when the
sensitive line between freedom of expression and insulting
religions is crossed. If not, she said, governments create
"fault lines" of division. Within this context, the Alliance
of Civilizations is very important for Turkey. It is
constructive and positive, and unifies states rather
than dividing them. Seeking tolerance, harmony, and greater
mutual understanding are the foundational goals of the
Alliance. Turkey is ready to help the U.S., she said. It
supports the U.S. action plan, and will seek a broader
consensus on this issue in order to successfully implement
the plan.


4. (SBU) In a separate meeting, Ali Dere, the Head of the
Foreign Relations Department at the Directorate of Religious
Affairs (Diyanet) told Griffiths and Mansfield that freedom
of expression is also an important topic for Turkey.
However, people in Europe need to be more responsible and not
cross the line between freedom of expression and insulting
religions. He stated that Muslim communities in Europe feel
oppressed due to recent events like the minaret ban in
Switzerland. He suggested that, perhaps, freedom of
expression is not perceived as a two-way street in Europe.
Dere stressed that the Diyanet will support the U.S. action
plan, and will support initiating a constructive dialogue
about this sensitive issue. However, he reiterated, all
governments need to consider Muslim communities' concerns
while discussing these regulations and treaties.


5. (C) COMMENT: As Ambassador Jeffrey indicated to the
USMission Geneva delegation, although the Turkish MFA and
Diyanet support this topic, they do not represent the
opinions of Turkey's head of government. Still, PM Erdogan
is a vigorous advocate for the Alliance of Civilizations, and
Spain and Turkey have worked closely together on issues of
Christianity and Islam. Given the strong personal
relationship between Spanish President Zapatero and PM
Erdogan, Washington should consider asking Spain to contact
Turkish officials to deliver the same message about opposing
the defamation of religion resolution and treaty during the
March meeting. If Turkey were to vote against the defamation
resolutions, it would have a significant impact on other OIC
countries.


6. (U) USMission Geneva has cleared this cable.
Jeffrey


ANKARA 00000209 002 OF 002


"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"