Explanation of vote by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia after the UNSC vote on a draft resolution on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia
Russia abstained in the vote on the draft resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVIC). At the same time, as previously, we continue to fully support the work of the special political mission and its mandate in line with Bogota's priorities and the consistent decisions of the Security Council.
Nevertheless, we cannot support the reduction of key components of UNVIC's mandate, namely its tasks having to do with the implementation of the verdicts by Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP), and with the “ethnic chapter” of the Final Peace Agreement (FPA). The former task was assigned to the Mission back in 2021, and now, following the SJP’s first decisions, it is more relevant than ever. Depriving transitional justice in Colombia of international support today would not only be disrespectful vis-à-vis the Colombian people and the victims of the conflict and their families, but it would also show indifference to the fate of the accused and convicted. We will continue to focus on these issues during the quarterly discussions on Colombia in the Council, supporting in every way possible the comprehensive efforts to implement the FPA, and providing full support to the peace process in Colombia and the work of the Monitoring Mission under the leadership of Miroslav Jenča.
Our position is shared by all members of the Council except one. It is regrettable that, despite this, the penholders of the file in the Council were busy rewriting the draft resolution and adapting it to suit the whims of one delegation. At the same time, it is clear to all of us that threats to use the veto right, and far-fetched arguments about the need to save on UNVIC, which, incidentally, is one of the most cost-effective UN missions, reflect only bilateral differences between Washington and Bogota. The Council's decisions should not fall hostage to these emotions, nor should the drafters of UNSC resolutions indulge in such emotions.
Thank you.
