UN Fourth Committee backs Russian-led text saying colonialism persists, 85 to 49, and approves Gibraltar decision 161 to 2

The UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee voted on 15 October to approve a draft text that says colonialism “persists in contemporary forms and practices in relations among States”, a Russian-led initiative that split the room by 85 votes to 49, with 23 abstentions. The committee, which handles special political and decolonization questions, approved more than 20 draft resolutions and one decision at the same morning meeting, according to the UN’s meetings coverage.

The vote on the contemporary-colonialism text, numbered A/C.4/81/L.5, drew the sharpest exchanges. Russia introduced it on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations and presented it as a positive alternative for reducing structural inequality. In the UN’s summary, the text recognises that colonialism continues in forms such as unilateral economic, financial or trade measures, threats or use of force, and interference in internal affairs.

Objections from Europe, Ukraine and the US

Liechtenstein, speaking also for Iceland and Norway, said that full implementation of the draft’s principles would require “a significant policy shift by the drafter of this text”, questioning Russia’s credibility as its sponsor. Ukraine called the proposal “another attempt by Russia to present itself as a champion of decolonization” and defended sanctions as a legitimate response to aggression.

The United States argued that sanctions, export controls and trade decisions are lawful statecraft. It also said the Special Committee on Decolonization “has outlived its original purpose” and called for ending its mandate. Cuba replied that it was not surprised by the US position, which it described as the main promoter of unilateral coercive measures.

Other recorded votes, including Gibraltar

The committee also took recorded votes on a series of routine decolonization texts, most of them drawn from the report of the Special Committee on Decolonization. Several passed with more than 160 votes in favour and only the United States and Israel opposed, among them a decision on Gibraltar adopted by 161 votes to 2, with France and Honduras abstaining.

The United Kingdom told the committee it voted in favour on Gibraltar because the text was co-authored with Spain and reflects the consensus approach followed since 1975. London said that whether a territory has reached self-government is for the territory’s government and the administering power to decide, and described the publicity given to decolonization issues as an unwarranted drain on UN resources. It added that it administers 10 of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories and abstained on the resolutions covering them.

A draft resolution on the “Question of Western Sahara” (A/C.4/81/L.4) was also among the texts put to recorded votes; the UN summary does not give its tally. Recorded votes were also taken on texts concerning territories including American Samoa, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, French Polynesia, Guam and New Caledonia.