ILA Statement on the Ongoing and Evolving Aggression In and Against Ukraine
3 March 2022

As an Association committed to the international rule of law the International Law Association (ILA)
deplores the flagrant violation of international law by Russia in its military action in and against
Ukraine, a sovereign state and member of the United Nations.
Further to the statement issued by the Executive Chair of the ILA on 25th February 2022, theAssociation affirms its commitment to the rules of international law relating to the use of force
including the legal obligation upon all states to comply with the principles set out in theUnited Nations Charter, especially article 2 (4) relating to the prohibition of the use of force
against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state without a mandate
from the Security Council, or in lawful self-defence.
The actions of the Russian Federation manifestly do not come within the exceptions to theprohibition of the use of force and as such are in breach of these peremptory norms of internationallaw from which no derogation is permissible. Nor can political arguments detract from legal
obligation.
Apart from being responsible for an internationally wrongful act – the unlawful use of force - theRussian Federation must also comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law andinternational human rights law. Failure to do so may constitute international crimes for which there
is individual criminal responsibility as well as state responsibility under the Geneva Conventions, thelaws and customs of war and human rights treaties. The Association welcomes the decision of theProsecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate the possible commission of war crimes
and crimes against humanity.
It is evident that compliance with the law will not of itself safeguard international peace and security.
Without it, however, not only is the stability of the international order threatened but so too are thelives and security of millions of civilians. The ILA joins with others for calling for an end to the use offorce in Ukraine, for a peaceful settlement with meaningful participation by civil society, and for
immediate humanitarian and other assistance to those displaced, injured and otherwise harmed, as
well as long term justice.
International Law Association (ILA)
3 March 2022
Note to Editors:- The International Law Association (ILA) was founded in 1873. The objectives of the Association are thestudy, clarification and development of international law, both public and private, and the furtherance
of international understanding and respect for international law.
- The ILA is a federal entity and the association operates through its network of branches around theworld and international committees that work on specific subject areas of international law.
- Individual ILA branches operate independently under their own governance structures. Copies ofstatements issued by individual ILA branches are available at https://www.ila-hq.org/index.php/news- The statement above is that of the Association as approved by the governing Executive Council which
consists of representatives of ILA branches.
- Further information on the ILA is available at www.ila-hq.org
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