Chair,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the eight Nordic and Baltic States.
- We are all unequivocal in our condemnation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of racial intolerance, including Nazism and neo-Nazism.
- We agree that preventing extremism and combating intolerance is a shared responsibility for all.
- We are fully committed to the global fight against all forms of these abhorrent ideologies and their manifestations.
- We are deeply concerned with the increase in antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred worldwide.
- We want our societies to be open, democratic and diverse. We celebrate our diversity, and we defend it. These are core values to our countries.
It is precisely for these reasons that we react so strongly to the resolution in front of us today. Because even though it has important language on the fight against racism, this is a document that, at its core, has a more sinister context. Shamefully, it attempts to re-write history and build a false narrative that is used to justify the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The aim is to destroy its democratic and peaceful neighbor, under the cynical slogan of “de-Nazification”.
The same argument was used by Soviet Russia to justify occupying the Baltic States. Almost 50 years of the illegal occupation brought their nations executions, repressions, mass deportations and forced russification.
Chair,
We categorically reject this instrumentalization of history to justifya full-scale invasion and attempted annexation of a sovereign neighboring country.
We strongly believe that this undermines the genuine fight against these heinous ideologies.
This is why all Nordic and Baltic States voted in favor of the amendment today. We did it to redress the utter lack of this context in the draft as it was presented.
Chair,
Even with the amendment passed, our fundamental problems with the resolution still stand.
A resolution on such an important topic deserves an inclusive approach. Instead, Russia has consistently avoided to engage seriously on the text and has failed at taking the concerns of other Member States into account.
If there is no interest in having an open and fair process, we call on Russia to give up its role in it. There are many other Member States in this room whose track-record on combating racism, racism and Nazism is unblemished, and in whose leadership and facilitation we would trust.
We want to engage in an honest and action-oriented conversation about this very important topic – not have it misappropriated for war.
For all these reasons, the Nordic-Baltic States also voted against the resolution as a whole.
Colleagues,
Please do not misunderstand our vote today. The Nordic-Baltic States stand ready to work side-by-side with all serious partners in the critical fight against racist and xenophobic ideologies.
But let us do so in partnership.
Let us do so in an open, and transparent manner.
And in good faith.
Thank you.