Cablegate: Colombia to Extend Un High Commissioner's Office

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DE RUEHBO #6383 2422123
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 302123Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8523
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UNCLAS BOGOTA 006383

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KJUS CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA TO EXTEND UN HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
MANDATE

1. (SBU) The Government of Colombia (GOC) and the UN High
Commission on Human Rights (UNHCHR) have agreed on the
renewal of the UNHCHR mandate in Colombia through 2010. The
agreement will be signed during the September 8-9 visit of
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour.
Juan Pablo Corlazzoli, head of the local UNHCHR office, told
us UNHCHR is happy with the extension and that his office's
mandate remains essentially unchanged. The accord, which
extends the mandate through October 30, 2010, explicitly
recognizes the UNHCHR's important observation role, provides
for increased technical and institutional cooperation, and
calls for continued dialogue on working methods and
priorities.

2. (SBU) GOC Presidential Human Rights Program director
Carlos Franco confirmed the agreement on the renewal of the
UNHCHR's mandate and said preparations for High Commissioner
Arbour's visit are almost finalized. In addition to meeting
with President Uribe and other GOC officials, she will meet
with local diplomats and civil society representatives. Last
year, the GOC renewed the UNHCHR's mandate for one year to
enable both the GOC and the UNHCHR to review the mandate
based on the Commission's ten years of work in Colombia.

Nichols

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