From the first day of the war, International Bar Association has condemned the russian aggression against Ukraine, and constant violation of international law by Russia.
This was announced by the Ministry of Justice with reference to the President of the Association, Sternford Moyo.
“This act of president Putin is a turning point that obviously violates international law. The United Nations member states have agreed since 1945 that the territory should be transferred from hand to hand only with consent. This rule is the center of support for international law and order between states. The IBA, founded to protect and uphold the rule of law, strongly condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine,” said Moyo.
IBA executive director Mark Ellis has emphasized that international law is clear and absolute: a state is prohibited from using force or threatening force against another state.
“This is done so as not to violate the territorial integrity and political independence of the state. All cases of use of force by one state against another, regardless of gravity or purpose, are a violation. This principle of protection is inviolable and is one of the most fundamental rules of international law. There are only two main exceptions to this principle: the state acts in self-defense or acts under UN Security Council resolution. Neither of these two exceptions applies to Russia's actions against Ukraine", he added.
The International Bar Association also unreservedly supports the decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan to launch an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
In addition, the IBA has joined 42 countries that have applied to the ICC due to alleged war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine.
“Finally, any russian individual or member of the IBA, who opposes fundamental legal principles, is now subject to exclusion or suspension for conduct that undermines the Association's core values. Mr. Moyo called it a very powerful step of the Association and assured that the IBA supports Ukraine to resist Russia's brutal actions against Ukraine, and will continue to do so until Russia's aggression is over", the Justice Ministry said.
The International Bar Association is the main organization for practitioners of international law, bar associations, and law firms. The organization was established in 1947, shortly after the founding of the United Nations. IBA collaborates on a wide range of innovative international projects with the United Nations, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and others.