November 14, 2022
3 mins read

UN: India abstains on Ukraine reparations resolution

The support for the resolution was significantly lower than the 143 votes an Assembly resolution received in October condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories…writes Arul Louis

Questioning its legality, India has abstained on a UN General Assembly resolution setting up a mechanism for Russian reparations to Ukraine for war damages.

“The legal validity of such a process by a General Assembly Resolution remains unclear,” India’s Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said on Monday after abstaining on the vote.

“We must, therefore, not create mechanisms or set precedents without adequate international legal vetting that have implications for the future functioning of the United Nations and the international economic system,” she said.

Kamboj’s speech also included a criticism of Russia, but without naming it: “The global order that we all subscribe to, is based on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. These principles must be upheld, without exception.”

The resolution passed with 94 votes, with 14 votes against and 73 abstentions.

It said that Russia “must bear the legal consequences” of its invasion and called for setting up an international registry on the damages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and for creating a mechanism for reparation.

The support for the resolution was significantly lower than the 143 votes an Assembly resolution received in October condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories.

This was because several countries expressed reservations similar to India’s on legal grounds.

The Caricom group of 15 Caribbean countries, for example abstained on this resolution but had voted for the last one in the Assembly, as had others like Saudi Arabia.

The voting also reflected a deepening polarisation in the 193-member UN on Ukraine once the topic of reparations was introduced.

Bahamas Permanent Representative Stan Smith, who spoke on behalf of the Caricom, said that colonisers and exploiters also have “moral and legal responsibility for past actions” like colonialism and slavery.

Some nations like Sierra Leone said that the resolution reeked of double standards because countries proposing reparations for Ukraine had opposed reparations for colonialism and slavery.

Kamboj said that it was “unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukrainian conflict unfolds, the entire global South has suffered a substantial collateral damage”.

The zooming prices of petroleum and fertilisers and the shortage of food grains have hit developing countries the hardest.

“It is thus critical that the voice of the global south be heard, and their legitimate concerns be duly addressed,” she said.

Kamboj said that with a “people-centric” outlook, India was providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic assistance to neighbours reeling from the escalating costs of food and fertilisers.

Any steps that would hinder dialogue to end the war should be avoided, she said.

“We need to objectively consider whether a reparation process through a vote in the General Assembly would contribute to efforts at a resolution of the conflict,” she added.

The UN Security Council, which under the UN Charter has the teeth to act, has been crippled by permanent member Russia’s veto, propelling the Western countries to take up Ukrainian matters in the Assembly, which does not have enforcement powers but can make a moral point.

US Deputy Permanent Representative Richard Mills called the resolution “a critical step toward accountability”.

“It highlights the importance of gathering evidence to support eventual claims for compensation from Russia on a non-criminal track for the injuries, the deaths, and the extensive damage to public and private property caused by Russia’s internationally wrongful acts in Ukraine,” he said.

Russia’s Permanent Vasily Nebenzia accused the western countries of wanting to use the resolution as a pretext to seize Moscow’s frozen assets.

ALSO READ: Sunak heads to G20 with veiled attack on China

Previous Story

Sharia law punishments return to Afghanistan

Next Story

Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong dominate Biden-Xi meet

Latest from -Top News

Industry Hails India-UK FTA

£34 billion boost, sweeping tariff cuts and market access mark UK’s most ambitious post-Brexit trade pact; Indian sectors set for exports surge…reports Asian Lite News Business leaders from both India and the

India, UK Sign Landmark FTA

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark moment for India-UK

Farmers Win Big in India-UK FTA

There is a massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods compared with up to 70 per cent earlier….reports Asian Lite News The India-UK Free Trade Agreement

Modi-Starmer Meet Ahead of FTA Signing

During the discussions, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Keir Starmer at the

Hindu Temple Vandalised in Melbourne

Confirming the incident, Victoria Police mentioned they are investigating “four linked incidents in Boronia,” including the temple and two restaurants….reports Asian Lite News In a deeply disturbing incident of racial violence, a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Nepal, India review bilateral pacts

Nepal and India signed an agreement on electricity trade as

Pam Gosal MSP Meets Indian Envoy

Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Pam Gosal has welcomed an