New York State Bar Association Urges Russian Federation To Restore the Rule of Law
2.22.2022
T. Andrew Brown, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Ukraine:
“The New York State Bar Association condemns the actions of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine as contrary to international law and the rule of law. It is now apparent that the Russian Federation’s “recognition” of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” was merely a pretext for its unlawful incursion into Ukraine. NYSBA joins the international community in calling upon the Russian Federation to restore the rule of law and refrain from taking any further actions contrary to international law with respect to Ukraine.
As enshrined in the United Nations Charter and Helsinki Accords, States are to refrain from the use of force, and even the threat of force, against the territorial integrity and political independence of other States. The UN Charter and Helsinki Accords require States to settle international disputes by peaceful means.
International law accordingly requires the Russian Federation to respect the internationally-recognized borders of Ukraine as well as Ukraine’s political independence and sovereignty. Moreover, as a sovereign and independent State, Ukraine has a right to self-determination and to conduct peaceful relations with other States on its own terms. This includes, without limitation, Ukraine’s right to pursue integration with European institutions or to pursue entry into collective security arrangements.
Therefore, NYSBA calls upon the Russian Federation to withdraw from Ukraine, refrain from taking further measures contrary to international law with respect to Ukraine and pursue a resolution by peaceful means.
As an organization of legal professionals in over 100 countries, NYSBA has a special duty to promote, support, and protect international law and the rule of law. NYSBA calls upon other international legal professional associations and civil society organizations to affirm their support for these basic principles of international law and for the peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis with respect to Ukraine.
About the New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, NYSBA has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.
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Contact: Susan DeSantis
sdesantis@nysba.org
201-575-5756
