WikiLeaks cable: NZ response to Human Rights Council demarche

Photo / Mark Mitchell

This is one of the diplomatic cables about New Zealand held by Wikileaks.

June 15, 2006

SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DEMARCHE

(U) Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Katherine Hadda,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On June 13, Poloff delivered reftel points to Valerie Meyer, Deputy Director of United Nations, Human Rights & Commonwealth Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). On June 14, Meyer responded that GNZ agrees with the U.S. position in general, particulary that the agenda should focus on establishing effective processes and mechanisms and avoid setting a negative tone that could become an entrenched element of the Human Rights Council. GNZ does not intend to sponsor any country specific or thematic resolutions. They
believe that country resolutions, if introduced, may in some cases be helpful. Meyer said this seems similar to the USG view that country situations should be included as part of the agenda if they regard technical assistance and emergency concerns. However, GNZ does have some concern that "talking about country specific resolutions at all could resurrect all the old debate," added Meyer.

2. (C) GNZ "strongly views that the Sub-Commission should be disestablished," said Meyer. She noted keen interest in the fact that the Sub-Commission's budget had been four times larger than the Human Rights Commission itself, saying that GNZ is interested in seeing the funding fully returned to the Office of the High Commission.

3. (C) Meyer had little to stay on the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples, except to note that she understands that U.S. and New Zealand missions in Geneva are in close contact on this issue.

McCormick