Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10LONDON208
2010-01-28 14:46:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy London
Cable title:
(C) DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UK WANTS TO USE UPR TO
how-toVZCZCXRO0458 RR RUEHBC RUEHKUK RUEHSL RUEHTRO DE RUEHLO #0208 0281446 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 281446Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY LONDON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4801 INFO RUEHZJ/HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1289
S E C R E T LONDON 000208
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2030
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM PHUM IR UK
SUBJECT: (C) DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UK WANTS TO USE UPR TO
PRESSURE IRAN ON HUMAN RIGHTS
REF: A. SECSTATE 7242 B. ROSENSHIELD-NOSSEL EMAIL 1/19/2010 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Greg Berry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T LONDON 000208
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2030
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM PHUM IR UK
SUBJECT: (C) DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UK WANTS TO USE UPR TO
PRESSURE IRAN ON HUMAN RIGHTS
REF: A. SECSTATE 7242 B. ROSENSHIELD-NOSSEL EMAIL 1/19/2010 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Greg Berry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1. (S/NF) Summary: Post delivered reftel A demarche to FCO Human Rights and Democracy Director Susan Hyland who said she supported using Iran's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in the Human Rights Council (HRC) to pressure Iran on human rights. She cautioned that moving too quickly to attack Iran's human rights record would play into its narrative of a Western conspiracy, but that letting the UPR process run its course could provide international legitimacy for increased human rights pressure, including perhaps a call for a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Iran. She praised U.S.-UK cooperation on the Iranian human rights file so far but emphasized that even more communication would be needed in the coming weeks if the process is to be successfully used to our advantage. In a related conversation on January 19, Hyland's deputy told Poloff that effective human rights pressure could help win international support for additional UN sanctions relating to Iran's nuclear program. End Summary. 2. (C/NF) In response to reftel A demarche, FCO Human Rights and Democracy Department Director Susan Hyland told Poloff on January 27 that the UK and the U.S. are "on the same page" with regard to Iran's Universal Periodic Review UPR at the United Nations HRC. She reiterated (ref B) that the UK thinks the UPR should be part of a coordinated strategy to increase international pressure on Iran. If the UK, U.S. and other European countries launch a frontal attack on Iran's human rights, it will likely backfire by allowing Iran to point to a Western conspiracy, Hyland argued. She said it would be much more effective to get the media and NGOs to highlight Iran's UPR and to get non-Western states to supply "meaty" questions for Iran to answer. Hyland made special note of the need to coordinate U.S. and UK efforts to ensure maximum effectiveness. 3. (C/NF) Hyland said that if Iran's answers to the human rights questions posed are not sufficient, that could serve as a trigger for tougher action, such as a Special Session or an HRC resolution. She suggested that a resolution might call for a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, though the U.S. and UK would have to engage in careful diplomacy to line up the necessary votes. Hyland also noted the importance of skillful handling of UPR efforts, since a backlash could negatively affect our efforts to defeat Iran's candidacy for the HRC in the upcoming membership elections. 4. (C/NF) Hyland reported that the UK is finalizing its submissions for Iran's UPR and would share its points with the U.S. within the next few days. She requested that the U.S. share its points with the UK to help make the UPR as useful as possible. 5. (C/NF) Hyland concluded by praising the communication between the U.S. and UK on this issue and emphasized that even more intensive coordination will need to take place in the coming weeks. She requested a readout of the results of the U.S. demarche (ref A) since the UK planned to demarche a number of key HRC members early the week of February 1 and would appreciate feedback on how to best focus their approach. 6. (S/NF) In a separate conversation January 19 (ref B),Hyland's deputy Alastair Long told Poloff that the UK believes pressuring Iran on human rights will strengthen our bid to impose UN sanctions over nuclear issues. He said the UK's embassy in Iran was of the same view, arguing that trying to fend off sanctions and human rights pressures simultaneously would tax their diplomatic capabilities, and that human rights pressures from non-Western countries would make it more likely that fence-sitting countries would support sanctions. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX ed_Kingdom SUSMAN
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2030
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM PHUM IR UK
SUBJECT: (C) DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UK WANTS TO USE UPR TO
PRESSURE IRAN ON HUMAN RIGHTS
REF: A. SECSTATE 7242 B. ROSENSHIELD-NOSSEL EMAIL 1/19/2010 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Greg Berry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1. (S/NF) Summary: Post delivered reftel A demarche to FCO Human Rights and Democracy Director Susan Hyland who said she supported using Iran's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in the Human Rights Council (HRC) to pressure Iran on human rights. She cautioned that moving too quickly to attack Iran's human rights record would play into its narrative of a Western conspiracy, but that letting the UPR process run its course could provide international legitimacy for increased human rights pressure, including perhaps a call for a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Iran. She praised U.S.-UK cooperation on the Iranian human rights file so far but emphasized that even more communication would be needed in the coming weeks if the process is to be successfully used to our advantage. In a related conversation on January 19, Hyland's deputy told Poloff that effective human rights pressure could help win international support for additional UN sanctions relating to Iran's nuclear program. End Summary. 2. (C/NF) In response to reftel A demarche, FCO Human Rights and Democracy Department Director Susan Hyland told Poloff on January 27 that the UK and the U.S. are "on the same page" with regard to Iran's Universal Periodic Review UPR at the United Nations HRC. She reiterated (ref B) that the UK thinks the UPR should be part of a coordinated strategy to increase international pressure on Iran. If the UK, U.S. and other European countries launch a frontal attack on Iran's human rights, it will likely backfire by allowing Iran to point to a Western conspiracy, Hyland argued. She said it would be much more effective to get the media and NGOs to highlight Iran's UPR and to get non-Western states to supply "meaty" questions for Iran to answer. Hyland made special note of the need to coordinate U.S. and UK efforts to ensure maximum effectiveness. 3. (C/NF) Hyland said that if Iran's answers to the human rights questions posed are not sufficient, that could serve as a trigger for tougher action, such as a Special Session or an HRC resolution. She suggested that a resolution might call for a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, though the U.S. and UK would have to engage in careful diplomacy to line up the necessary votes. Hyland also noted the importance of skillful handling of UPR efforts, since a backlash could negatively affect our efforts to defeat Iran's candidacy for the HRC in the upcoming membership elections. 4. (C/NF) Hyland reported that the UK is finalizing its submissions for Iran's UPR and would share its points with the U.S. within the next few days. She requested that the U.S. share its points with the UK to help make the UPR as useful as possible. 5. (C/NF) Hyland concluded by praising the communication between the U.S. and UK on this issue and emphasized that even more intensive coordination will need to take place in the coming weeks. She requested a readout of the results of the U.S. demarche (ref A) since the UK planned to demarche a number of key HRC members early the week of February 1 and would appreciate feedback on how to best focus their approach. 6. (S/NF) In a separate conversation January 19 (ref B),Hyland's deputy Alastair Long told Poloff that the UK believes pressuring Iran on human rights will strengthen our bid to impose UN sanctions over nuclear issues. He said the UK's embassy in Iran was of the same view, arguing that trying to fend off sanctions and human rights pressures simultaneously would tax their diplomatic capabilities, and that human rights pressures from non-Western countries would make it more likely that fence-sitting countries would support sanctions. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX ed_Kingdom SUSMAN