UNGA80 3rd Committee, adoption of the resolution on Combating glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to fueling contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Explanation of vote delivered by Marcus Holknekt, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Sweden on behalf of NB8
New York, 14 November 2025
Mr. Chair,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the eight Nordic and Baltic States.
We are all unequivocal in our condemnation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of racial intolerance, including Nazism and neo-Nazism.
We are deeply concerned with the increase in antisemitism as well as the rise in anti-Muslim hatred worldwide.
We agree that preventing radicalization and extremism and combating intolerance is a shared responsibility for all.
We are fully committed to the global fight against all forms of these abhorrent ideologies and their manifestations.
We also want our societies to be open, democratic and diverse. We celebrate our diversity, and we defend it. These are core values to our countries.
It is precisely due to the above reasons that we react so strongly against the resolution in front of us today. Because even though there is some important and valid language on the fight against racism in the text, this is a document that, at its core, has a more sinister context. Shamefully, it attempts to re-write history and build a false narrative that is used to justify the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The aim is to destroy its democratic and peaceful neighbor, under the cynical slogan of “de-Nazification”.
The same argument was used by the Soviet Russia to justify occupying the Baltic States. Almost 50 years of the illegal occupation brought their nations executions, repressions, mass deportations and forced russification.
Chair,
Russia is grossly distorting and misusing the history of the Holocaust.
We categorically reject this instrumentalization of history to justifya full-scale invasion and attempted annexation of a sovereign neighboring country.
We strongly believe that this exploitation and manipulation undermines the genuine fight against these heinous ideologies.
This is why all Nordic and Baltic States voted in favor of the amendment today. We did it to redress the utter lack of this context in the draft as it was presented.
Mr. Chair,
Even with the amendment passed, our fundamental problems with the resolution still stand.
The resolution contains highly politicized and problematic language.
A resolution on such an important topic deserves an inclusive approach. Instead, Russia has consistently avoided to engage seriously on the text and has failed at taking the concerns of other Member States into account. This year, the draft was submitted even before this Committee began its meetings. The only so-called consultation was to present the text as a fait-accompli.
If there is no interest in having an open and fair process, we call on Russia to give up its role in it. There are many other Member States in this room whose track-record on combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and Nazism is unblemished, and in whose leadership, facilitation and engagement we would trust.
We want to engage in an honest and action-oriented conversation about this very important topic, and not have it misappropriated for justification of the Russian war of aggression.
For all these reasons, the Nordic-Baltic States also voted against the resolution as a whole.
Chair,
I want to end with a plea to colleagues to not misunderstand our vote today. The Nordic-Baltic States stand ready to work side-by-side with all serious partners in the critical fight against racist and xenophobic ideologies.
Let us do so in partnership.
Let us do so in an open, constructive and transparent manner. And in good faith.
I thank you.