POLAND: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IRAN UNIVERSAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000072 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/HR COLLEEN NEVILLE DEPT ALSO PASS TO DRL/MLGA CHRIS SIBILLA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2020 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN IR PL SUBJECT: POLAND: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IRAN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW REF: A. STATE 007242 ¶B. WARSAW 0067 Classified By: Political Counselor F. Dan Sainz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In advance of Iran's February 15 Universal Periodic Review (UPR),Poland submitted a list of four written questions to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The questions, copied below, cover the violence surrounding the June 12 elections, detainees' access to legal representation, and religious freedom. MFA Human Rights Division Head Jerzy Baurski said Poland intends to actively engage in the UPR process, and hopes there will not be a movement to block participation by like-minded countries, as was done during the Cuba UPR. ¶2. (C) Baurski concurred with ref A points, but expressed doubt that Iran would heed recommendations made by the U.S. or EU member states. Nevertheless, the EU needs to be "very active" in this process. Baurski noted that EU members recently launched a coordinated directive to discuss the human rights situation in Iran. The MFA's Director for Africa and Middle Eastern Affairs, Jacek Chodorowicz, summoned the Iranian Charge d'Affaires January 26 to demand Iran respect the human rights of its citizens. Iranian Ambassadors were similarly summoned in other EU countries. ¶3. (C) Begin text: - What steps have been taken by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to conduct an independent investigation regarding the protests after the 2009 presidential elections, during which at least 20 people were killed and hundreds seriously injured in clashes with security forces? - How does the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran guarantee in practice access to legal representation for those detained in connection with demonstrations after the 2009 presidential elections? - What measures has the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran considered taking to implement the recommendation of the Human Rights Committee to bring its legislation and practice in line with requirements of Article 18 of the ICCPR? (Note: Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights deals with freedom of religion. End note.) - Is the Islamic Republic of Iran considering establishing an independent National Human Rights Institution in full compliance with the Paris Principles? End text. FEINSTEIN