Medellín, Colombia – The results of a UN forum, made public on December 3, revealed that Colombia abstained from taking a position on the statement urging Russia to guarantee the “immediate, safe and unconditional return of Ukrainian children who have been deported or forcibly removed” to Russian territory.
Despite 91 countries voting in favor of the document, Colombia, which will sit on the Security Council next year, joined 57 nations – including Brazil, El Salvador, and China – refraining from supporting the measure. Meanwhile, 12 countries voted against it.
The development has placed President Gustavo Petro’s government in the hot seat as opposition figures in Colombia criticize and question the decision while the administration, so far, refuses to comment publicly.
The United Nations statement, proposed by Ukraine with the sponsorship of Canada and the European Union, urged the return of thousands of Ukrainian children who were transferred from their homes to Russian territory over nearly four years of war.
The resolution also calls on the Russian Federation “to cease such actions without delay, and to end the practices of family separation and the ‘change of [children’s] personal status’ through citizenship, adoption, foster placement or indoctrination”, according to a UN press release on the approved resolution.
Source: https://x.com/sherwiebp/status/1996326527492075996
Backlash following the abstention
Colombia’s decision to abstain has drawn criticism from the opposition, who say it highlights inconsistencies in President Petro’s foreign policy.
These voices point to Petro’s outspoken stance as a defender of human rights and his historically active role in international affairs, whilst demanding clarification as to why the government has avoided taking a concrete stance on Russia’s invasion of a sovereign nation and the return of said Ukrainian children.
Members of Congress from the Centro Democrático, the leading opposition party, have taken to social media to raise their concerns.
Representative of the Democratic Center Andrés Forero, who urged, on X, that President Petro “must explain to the country why he ordered the Colombian delegation to the UN to abstain from voting on the motion urging Russia to return the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped”.
Further dissent came from Senator Paloma Valencia who also took to X to question Petro’s government.
There has been no explanation offered by either President Petro or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Brazilian media, the vote reinforces the Lula government’s position of equidistance in the conflict but raises questions about seeking a position as a global mediator over prioritizing human rights.
The Russian government has accused the UN of “distorting reality”.
In a Facebook post, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lashed out at President of UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, accusing her of framing her speech in “Goebbels propaganda mould”.
Featured image description: United Nations Security Council.
Featured image credit: United Nations via Flickr.
