Chair,
Norway voted against the draft resolution entitled “Addressing contemporary forms of colonialism”. There was no other choice. The reason for this, is that the penholder of this draft resolution, Russia, is violating the important principles this text is supposed to strengthen. At this very moment; Russia continues to attack Ukraine, with soldiers, drones, and missiles. In the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, Russia seeks to erase people’s identity by forcing residents to take Russian passports, suppressing the Ukrainian language, culture and educational system, and integrating occupied territories into the Russian state system.
For this reason, Norway cannot accept a resolution that is presented by a state, who violates the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of another state. The UN was created to avoid exactly what Russia is doing today. By invading Ukraine, Russia is violating the UN Charter, and the principle of non-intervention, in its most fundamental way.
If we are to address the “contemporary forms of colonialism”, and people’s right to self-determination, we must also address the Russian temporary occupation of parts of Ukraine.
Colonialism must be brought to an end, everywhere. Its continuation anywhere is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We agree in addition that the threat and use of force against the territorial integrity of States and countries precludes the full implementation of their right to self-determination, and is also incompatible with the Charter.
The decolonization of the vast majority of the world to date is one of the UN’s signature achievements. Norway supported the end of colonialism through assisting and supporting the decolonization process at the United Nations. We did this because it was the right thing to do, and we had our own national experience as an important backdrop and motivation.
Norway is a small country in Europe. We have also been a victim of subjugation and occupation. This led to Norwegian support to de-colonization and liberation in many countries in Asia and Africa. The support was provided by the Norwegian government, church leaders, trade unions, student unions and civil society. Norway provided political and financial support. We supported the liberation in Zimbabwe and the anti-apartheid movement in South-Africa with substantial funding, to name two examples.
Chair,
Norway’s support to Ukraine is a continuation of our support to the same principles we stood by during the decolonization of Asia and Africa.
However, this resolution is a testimony to unchecked use of double standards by Russia, and it is a shameful attempt to put a smokescreen over the terrible atrocities committed at this very moment by Russia against the people of Ukraine.