Annexation of a States Territory is a Violation of the Charter & International Law, Warns UN Chief — Global Issues
UN, September 30 (IPS) – The Kremlin has announced that a ceremony will take place on Friday in Moscow, kicking off a process of merging the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
In this critical time, I must stress that it is my duty as Secretary-General to uphold the Charter of the United Nations.
The Charter of the United Nations was clear.
Any annexation of the territory of a State by another State through the threat or use of force is a violation of the Principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of international law.
The United Nations General Assembly is equally clear.
In the landmark Declaration of Friendly Relations of 24 October 1970 – repeatedly cited by the International Court of Justice as outlining the rules of common international law – the General Assembly declared that “the the territory of one State shall not be subject to acquisition by another State through the threat or use of force” and “no expropriation of the territory by the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legitimate.” France “.
And I must be clear.
The Russian Federation, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, has a special responsibility to respect the Charter.
Any decision to proceed with the annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine will have no legal validity and deserve condemnation.
It cannot be reconciled with the international legal framework. It is against everything the international community is meant to support. It sets forth the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. It is a dangerous escalation. It has no place in the modern world. It is not accepted.
The position of the United Nations is clear: we are fully committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, within internationally recognized borders, in accordance with resolutions related to the United Nations.
I would like to emphasize that the so-called “referendum” in the occupied regions was conducted during the ongoing armed conflict, in the regions occupied by Russia and outside the legal framework. and the constitution of Ukraine.
They cannot be called the true expression of the popular will. Any decision by Russia to continue would further jeopardize the prospects for peace.
It will prolong the dramatic effects on the global economy, especially developing countries, and hinder our ability to deliver lifesaving aid across Ukraine and beyond.
It’s time to step back from the brink.
More than ever, we must work together to end this cruel and senseless war and uphold the United Nations Charter and international law.
IPS UN Office
By @IPSNewsUNBureau
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