Cablegate: Brazil: December Vote On "Defamation of Religions"

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R 071722Z DEC 09
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN UNGA BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL: DECEMBER VOTE ON "DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS"

REF: 09 STATE 122629; A. STATE 109397 B. STATE 111466

1. (SBU) On December 2, poloff delivered reftel demarche to
Glaucia Gauch, head of the Department of Human Rights and Social
Affairs of the Ministry of External Relations (MRE). Poloff
followed up by delivering a copy of the "Defamation of Religions"
non-paper to Nathanael de Souza e Silva who works under Gauch.
Gauch and Silva said that Brazil is in principle against the
"defamation of religions" concept, which the GOB considers to be
inconsistent with both international and Brazilian law, but offered
no explanation as to why Brazil consistently abstains when the
issue comes up in the UN.

2. (SBU) Comment: Brazil's abstentions are most likely in
deference to the OIC.
KUBISKE

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