VZCZCXRO4701
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #0743 0860805
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 260805Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0226
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2216
UNCLAS MANILA 000743
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DRL/MLGA (MCGEENEY)
STATE ALSO FOR IO/RHS (OSTERMEIER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RP UNHRC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION
REF: STATE 29095
(SBU) Polcouns on March 26 discussed reftel points on
retaining the mandate of the Special UN Rapporteur on Freedom
of Expression with UN and International Organizations (UNIO)
Executive Director Grace Princesa of the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA), and outlined recent examples where
Islamic states have used the "defamation of religion" concept
to arrest and imprison dissenters and those of other
religions. Princesa, who has extensive experience in the
Middle East, acknowledged the chilling effect on free speech
that the OIC's amendment to Canada's resolution to extend the
Special Rapporteur's mandate could have, and she assured
Polcouns that U.S. concerns would be carefully considered by
senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs in both
Manila and Geneva.
EBERT-GRAY