Statement by Abbas Tajik Representative of the Islamic Republic Explanation of Position on the Vote of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the resolution of Return of Ukrainian Children (A/ES-11/L.16/Rev.1) 2 December 2025   In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful   Madame President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations. However, we add the following remarks in our national capacity. The well-being and dignity of children must remain above the tides of geopolitics and conflict. The primacy of the Convention on the Rights of the Child—particularly the principle that the best interests of the child must always be a primary consideration—and the obligations under international law to protect children affected by armed conflict, ensure their care and reunification, and guarantee humanitarian access, are clear for all. However, while the humanitarian intent is genuine, this resolution lacks professional neutrality and balanced methodology. It treats contested claims as settled facts. Such an approach is unconstructive in our collective efforts within the UN General Assembly. When such wording is applied here, consistency demands similar resolutions concerning all children in conflict zones worldwide, including those in Gaza. In this spirit, we voted No; to express our profound hope for a capable, effective, and enforceable UN resolution that brings life, relief, and protection back equally to the children of all around the world, including in Gaza, where vast numbers have perished as a consequence of Israeli genocidal military actions. We call for a mechanism that reverses destructive policies and halts practices that have ravaged the lives of children. All children, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or geography, are equal under international law and equal in moral worth. Surely, this is a global challenge, and we must address it within a broader and morally essential framework: children in other regions who are experiencing parallel or even more severe suffering must also be considered—those who endure displacement, trauma, and systematic violations of their rights elsewhere—with equal urgency, equal compassion, and equal global accountability. It is imperative that resolutions of this nature also be enacted for children without politicization, without exception, and without selective compassion. Thank you.