We thank USG Soares for his briefing. Norway fully supports the Secretariat’s role in implementing resolution 2231.
The reported transfer of UAVs from Iran to Russia for use in Ukraine is of great concern. These drones are used to attack civilians and civilian objects. This usage is prohibited under international humanitarian law, and may constitute war crimes.
The transfer of such UAVs would also be a violation of resolution 2231 annex B paragraph 4. In Security Council presidential note S/2016/44 paragraph 7, the Secretary-General was requested to report biannually on the implementation of resolution 2231, including his findings and recommendations.
In fulfilment of this request, the Secretary-General has reported thirteen times to the Council. Many of the findings have been based on firsthand assessments of evidence collected on the ground. And many of the assessments have been initiated based on letters from Member States- with information of potential violations and actions inconsistent with the provisions contained in resolution 2231 annex B.
These letters have also included travel invitations from relevant authorities in order for the UN to conduct necessary firsthand assessments.
In our view there is nothing about the conduct of the Secretariat in connection with the request put forward in the letter from Ukraine that could substantiate the Russian claims of misconduct.
Let me recall that article 100 of the UN Charter requires each Member State of the UN to respect the impartiality of the Secretary-General and his staff,
and not to influence them in the discharge of their responsibilities.
We regret that Russia, through accusing others of violating this principle, is in fact itself disregarding the spirit of Article 100. This can only be understood as an attempt to draw attention away from Russia’s own illegal war and actions.