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

Notes to the Editor

  1. The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, it was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world's bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.

    ​​​​​​​The IBA acts as a connector, enabler, and influencer, for fair practice and accountability worldwide. The IBA has collaborated on a broad range of ground-breaking, international projects with the United Nations, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, The Commonwealth, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, among others.

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Website page link for this news release:
Short link: https://tinyurl.com/234xw965
Full link: https://www.ibanet.org/IBA-condemns-Russias-invasion-of-Ukraine