US embassy cable - 05GENEVA2079

UNCLAS GENEVA 002079 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IO/SHA, DRL/MLA, L/HRR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, UNHRC-1, WGC 
SUBJECT:  READOUT FROM WORKING GROUP ON COMMUNICATIONS 
MEETING 
 
 
1.  PolCouns De Pirro met September 1 with Maria Echazu, who 
recently took over handling of 1503 cases for the OHCHR 
Secretariat, for a readout of the August 15-26 meeting of 
 
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the Working Group on Communications (WGC) and its decision 
on U.S. cases.  Echazu reported that the WGC decided to 
dismiss four of the cases (2866, 2873, 2880, and 2891). Two 
others, 2790 and 2742, are being referred to the Working 
Group on Situations (WGS).  Mission received a note verbale 
on these two cases on September 1, 2005 (text in paragraph 
3).  Echazu said that in case 2742 the WGC found 
insufficient the information related to the treatment of 
mentally ill prisoners and was unsatisfied with the U.S. 
response to the allegations made in the case. She added that 
the WGC would have welcomed more information on the 
guarantees of protection of prisoners' rights.  Case number 
2742 is number 1 on the Geneva 2006 WGS Log.  In case 2790, 
the WGC wanted more information on the effect on prisoners 
of the stun-belt.  Case number 2790 is number 2 on the 
Geneva 2006 WGS Log.  The WGS will meet the second week of 
February 2006. The U.S. response to the note verbale is due 
December 2, 2005.  A copy of the note verbale and relevant 
case information has been sent to IO/SHA, Director under 
registry 6132623. 
 
2.  Two cases (2886 and 2931) were left pending by the WGC 
for its next meeting, scheduled to begin August 28, 2006. 
Echazu said a note verbale detailing the information sought 
by the WGC was being prepared and would be forwarded to the 
Mission shortly. 
 
3.  Begin text of note verbale: 
 
REFERENCE: G/SO 215/14 
 
The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his 
compliments to the Permanent Representative of the United 
States of America to the United Nations Office at Geneva and 
has the honour to inform the Permanent Representative of a 
decision of the Working Group on Communications, established 
under Sub-Commission resolution 2 (XXIV) in accordance with 
Economic and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) as 
revised by Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/3 
(text enclosed). 
 
The Working Group on Communications decided at its thirty- 
third session (held at Palais Wilson from 15 to 26 August 
2005) to refer to the Working Group on Situations the 
particular situations described in communications G/SO 215/1 
USA 2742 and USA 2790 concerning the United States of 
America. The relevant government replies of 3 August 2004, 9 
August 2004, 20 June 2005 and 14 July 2005 were taken into 
account. The communications are attached to the present note 
verbale for ease of reference. 
 
In accordance with paragraph 5 of ECOSOC resolution 2000/3, 
the Working Group on Situations will consider the matter 
under the 1503 procedure in closed meetings at its next 
session to be held at Palais Wilson from 6 to 10 February 
2006. 
 
It may be noted in this connection that the role of the 
Working Group on Situations is to examine the confidential 
report and recommendations of the Working Group on 
Communications and to determine whether or not to refer a 
particular situation thus brought before it to the 
Commission on Human Rights, and, accordingly, to place 
before the Commission a confidential report identifying the 
main issues of concern, normally together with a draft 
resolution or draft decision recommending the action to be 
taken by the Commission in respect of the situations 
referred to it. 
 
His Excellency's Government is invited to make its written 
observations on the particular situations to be considered 
by the Working Group on Situations. To ensure timely 
translation and reproduction of observations received prior 
to the session of the Working Group on Situations, the 
Secretary-General would be grateful if any observations 
 
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which His Excellency's Government might wish to submit could 
reach him not later than 2 December 2005, care of the Office 
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations 
Office at Geneva. 
 
29 August 2005 
 
End text of note verbale. 
 
MOLEY