Fourth Committee approves over 22 draft resolutions and 1 decision as United States calls for end to Decolonization Committee

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), a body of the General Assembly, approved over 22 draft resolutions and 1 decision, according to UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. Many came as recommendations from the Special Committee on Decolonization. The summary line of the same release says "over 20" drafts; its main text says over 22.

The representative of the United States called for an end to the Special Committee's mandate. She said the body "has outlived its original purpose". She said more than 80 former colonies have joined the UN as Member States since it began. She argued that the Special Committee revisits the same texts every year, and that its travel to the Caribbean and South Pacific wastes UN time and resources. She also noted that the General Assembly removed Puerto Rico from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories in 1953, yet the Special Committee holds hearings on Puerto Rico every year.

The committee approved a resolution on "Addressing contemporary forms of colonialism" by a recorded vote of 85 in favour to 49 against, with 23 abstentions. The text says colonialism persists in contemporary forms, which can include unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter. The representative of the Russian Federation introduced it for the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations.

Several speakers questioned Russia's credibility as author. Ukraine's delegate called the draft "another attempt by Russia to present itself as a champion of decolonization". He said sanctions against the Russian Federation are a legitimate response to its aggression. The representative of the United States said sanctions, export controls and sovereign trade decisions are lawful tools of statecraft. Cuba's delegate said: “We are not surprised by the position taken by the Government of the United States, the main promoter of unilateral coercive measures and economic blockades,”

The United States voted against most of the Special Committee texts for which the release lists votes. On information from Non-Self-Governing Territories, the vote was 160 in favour to 2 against (United States, Israel), with 3 abstentions (United Kingdom, France, Paraguay). Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence by specialized agencies passed 110 to 2, with 54 abstentions. Economic and other activities affecting the Territories passed 163 to 2, with 2 abstentions. Study and training offers passed 162 to 2, with 3 abstentions.

Two votes drew the United Kingdom into opposition alongside Israel and the United States. Dissemination of information on decolonization passed 164 to 3, with 2 abstentions (Honduras, France). The UK representative said the obligation to publicize decolonization issues is an unwarranted drain on UN resources. Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples passed 120 to 3, with 43 abstentions.

The United Kingdom administers 10 of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. It abstained on the resolutions concerning the Territories. It voted for the decision on Gibraltar, which passed 161 to 2 (Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions (France, Honduras). Its representative said the Gibraltar text was co-authored by Spain and the United Kingdom and "reflects the unique consensus approach to this matter" followed since 1975.

The release does not say whether any member state formally proposed ending the Special Committee's mandate. It does not give the vote counts on the Western Sahara text or the Territory-specific resolutions. The Special Committee is itself a UN body, so the UN is a party to this dispute.