NETHERLANDS/IRAN: PLANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000083 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2020 TAGS: PHUM PREL IR NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/IRAN: PLANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REVIEW REF: A. SECSTATE 7242 ¶B. 09 THE HAGUE 677 ¶C. 09 THE HAGUE 608 Classified By: DCM Edwin Nolan for reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (C) Post delivered reftel A points to key MFA contacts on January 26. Janet Alberda and Jochem De Groot, with the Dutch MFA Human Rights Department, responded on February 9 that the Netherlands would like to raise the following issues during the UPR of Iran: free flow of information, the use of the death penalty and the execution of minors, freedom of religion and access by the Special Rapporteur on Relgious Freedom, access and work by NGOs, the guarantee of international law standards on human rights, and the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Given the uncertain schedule and limited time for interventions during the UPR, the Dutch will coordinate with other EU members during a February 10 discussion Brussels, to ensure all points are addressed. The Dutch do not intend to raise the very specific allegations of torture and execution they received from Ms. Shadi Sadr (winner of the 2010 International Women of Courage Award and the 2009 Dutch Golden Tulip Award for Human Rights Defenders). ¶2. (SBU) De Groot mentioned the Dutch continue to examine options for preventing shipments to the GOI of software that would limit public access to information. The Dutch are consulting with EU partners and industry, and would welcome views from Washington. Possible models for action include the Global Network Initiative and proposals before the European Parliament. LEVIN