IBA condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022

The International Bar Association (IBA) – the global voice of the legal profession – condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ordered by President Vladimir Putin.

IBA President Sternford Moyo stated: ‘This act by President Putin is a watershed moment that indisputably violates international law. Member States of the United Nations have, since 1945, agreed that territory should only change hands by consent. This rule is at the centre of maintaining international law and order between States. The IBA, founded to promote and protect the rule of law, strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.’

IBA Executive Director, Mark Ellis, commented: ‘International law is clear and absolute. A state is prohibited from the use or threat of force against another state. This is to ensure that the territorial integrity and political independence of the state are not violated. All instances of the use of force by one state against another, regardless of gravity or aims, constitute a violation. This protective principle is inviolable and one of the most fundamental norms of international law. There are only two main exceptions to this principle – the state is acting in self-defence or acting pursuant to a United Nations Security Council resolution. Neither of these two exceptions is applicable to Russia’s actions against Ukraine.’

ENDS