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Cablegate: Brazil: Unhcr-61 and Cuba

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 000737

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2010
TAGS: PHUM CU BR PREL CHR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL: UNHCR-61 AND CUBA

REF: A. STATE 42847

B. STATE 44494
C. BRASILIA 681

Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Lawrence Cohen,
reasons 1.4 (
b & d)

1. (C) Poloff delivered CHR talking points to Christiano
Figueroa, Acting Chief for an under-manned Ministry of
External Relations (MRE) Human Rights Division. Referring to
press reports regarding GOB Human Rights Secretary Nilmario
Miranda's not-so-veiled criticisms of the USG in a March 15
conference in Geneva, Figueroa sought to downplay Miranda's
remarks, some of which, Figueroa claimed, were "inaccurate."
"While Brazil continues to have concerns about the
selectivity of single country resolutions, it does not favor
the idea of eliminating them," Figueroa said. However,
Figueroa buttressed Miranda's call for a global report on
human rights, most likely under UN auspices.

2. (C) Although he was speaking in an "unofficial capacity"
since the GOB had refused to accept delivery of the annual
U.S. Human Rights Report, Figueroa described the recently
released HRR as balanced and fair. He believed it portrayed
well the good and bad aspects of Brazil's human rights
situation, and he complemented Poloff Bisola Ojikutu with
whom he shared information. Brazil's problem with the HRR,
he added, is with the "principle and procedure," and not with
its content.

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3. (C) Poloff explained that Cuba is again the highest USG
priority for UNCHR-61. To bring countries like Brazil on
board, the USG draft resolution this year takes a minimalist
approach -- a point Brazil should consider. Figueroa
understood the USG strategy. Brazil's Cuba policy, he
emphasized, is made at the highest level of government, and
it is unlikely the GOB would alter its course towards Cuba at
this time. Yet, although Brazilian officials have held
numerous discussions with the Cubans, Figueroa was unaware of
any GOC intention to table a draft resolution on Guantanamo
-- unlike in 2004, when Cuba had threatened to table a draft
but did not. "Sometimes," Figueroa remarked, "the CHR is
full of surprises."

4. (C) Echoing Miranda's remarks in Geneva, Figueroa
explained that the GOB continues to have concerns with the
"non-applicability" of the Geneva Convention with terrorism
suspects held under U.S. custody and their long-term
detention without indictment even within the context of the
war on terrorism. Utilizing ref A talking points, poloff
described detainee policy and the steps taken to assure
prisoner rights are protected.

5. (C) Comment: Based on Figueroa's subtle comments, Brazil
will likely support, as it did in 2004, some specific single
country resolutions where it does not have a dog in the fight
-- for example, Belarus. Given the upcoming Arab-South
American Summit in Brasilia in May, the GOB will not favor
softening unbalanced Arab-sponsored Middle East resolutions.
Brazil's behavior on Arab-Israel resolutions will be closely
observed by Arab delegations. Brazil will no doubt continue
its long-standing policy of opposing harsh criticism of
Cuba's human rights record.

Danilovich

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