Russia plans colonialism resolution as UN delegates clash over Ukraine

The UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee opened its decolonisation debate on 1 October, with Russia’s representative announcing plans for a resolution on contemporary forms of colonialism. Speaking for the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, he said the proposed text would call on states to refrain from practices it described as incompatible with the UN Charter. The committee also approved its programme of work. [1]

Poland’s delegate, speaking for six other countries including Ukraine, challenged Russia’s portrayal of itself as a champion of decolonisation. He pointed to the war in Ukraine and abuses affecting Ukrainian children. In a report covering the period to the end of 2024, the UN human rights office documented the imposition of Russia’s curriculum and patriotic and military education in occupied Ukrainian territory. It also verified movements affecting at least 200 children, mainly in 2022, while saying it could not assess the full scale without access to Russia and occupied areas. [1] [2]

Other delegates focused on economic pressure. Iran’s representative argued that colonialism had adapted to take forms including economic coercion and the manipulation of trade and finance. Cuba’s delegate accused the US of an “energy blockade”. Washington designated Cuba’s state oil company for sanctions in June; a separate February order had ended additional tariffs under an earlier measure concerning countries supplying oil to Cuba. The Associated Press reported in September that efforts to restrict fuel supplies were linked to major power outages on the island. [1] [3] [4] [5] [7]