GOM Consulting Internally on Reintroducing 2005 HRC

UNCLAS MEXICO 000444 SENSITIVE SIPDIS WHA/MEX MARY STICKLES IO/HR LINDA LUM L/HRR KATHLEEN MILTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC MX UN PHUM KWMN SOCI SUBJECT: GOM Consulting Internally on Reintroducing 2005 HRC Resolution on Women and Property ¶1. Poloff met February 8 with GOM Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) Director for Women's Affairs Norma Contreras to present a USG proposal that Mexico reintroduce one of the resolutions it sponsored in the Human Rights Council in 2005. This "Resolution on Women and Property" (CHR, CHR 2005/25 - Reftel) emphasized women's right to equal ownership of and access to land, property, and adequate housing. In 2005, it passed by consensus. ¶2. Poloff stressed to Contreras that, if SRE would be willing to resurrect the text for the March 2010 HRC session with minor changes to the text, the USG would be a strong advocate for its passage and believes it would highlight our joint commitment to integrating gender into the mainstream of the HRC's work. Contreras asked what changes the USG would request, and Poloff highlighted the wording within OP 4 (Reftel) that emphasizes an unqualified right to adequate housing and right to inheritance. Contreras recognized the distinction in the terminology requested by the USG. ¶3. Contreras told Poloff that she would consult with her counterparts in several other SRE sections and then respond to the Embassy. Poloff requested a response at least two weeks before the beginning of the March HRC session, so that if Mexico decides to move forward with the resolution, both our governments will have sufficient time to begin lobbying capitals early. PASCUAL