Cablegate: Czechs: No Special Treatment for Cuba in Unhrc

VZCZCXRO0703
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHPG #1187 2691428
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 261428Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8020
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0068
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0168
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0185

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001187

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL CU EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS: NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR CUBA IN UNHRC

REF: STATE 160278

1. (SBU) Poloff spoke with Czech MFA Deputy Director of the
Human Rights Department Martin Boucek on September 26 to
discuss Cuba's efforts to eliminate the UNHRC's mandate on
Cuba. Boucek said the Czechs share U.S. concerns, and think
the UNHRC's handling of human rights abuses in Cuba and
Belarus will be a "crucial test" of its effectiveness. As the
Chair on the committee on mandates, the Czechs will argue
that all mandates, including Cuba's mandate, should remain in
place for at least one year. Further, the Czechs strongly
support NGO participation in UNHRC deliberations. Boucek
anticipated tense deliberations on these issues next week,
and said the outcome was uncertain.
GRABER

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