There will be no peace without justice: statement of civil society organizations on the US-Russia negotiations
We, representatives of civil society and human rights organizations, decisively condemn the negotiations between the delegations of the Russian Federation and the United States regarding Ukraine, which took place in Saudi Arabia, as well as the plans to create negotiating groups without the participation of Ukraine. Any agreements about Ukraine without its direct participation are not only unacceptable, but also contradict the fundamental principles of international law, the sovereignty of states, and the right of the people of Ukraine to independently determine their future.
Such agreements are fundamentally incapable of accomplishing sustainable peace and international security, creating additional security, economic, and other threats to states that will support them. This path repeats the fatal mistake the international community made during the Munich Agreement of 1938, which, as was discovered later, did not satisfy the encroachment of the aggressor state and led to an even more destructive war.
Ukraine is not an object, but a sovereign state affected by aggression
Russia continues waging a full-scale war against Ukraine in violation of the fundamental principles of international law, including the prohibition to use force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state enshrined in the UN Charter. This has been recognized not only by numerous decisions of international organizations, but also supported by the majority of countries in the world. The aggression committed by the Russian Federation has already resulted in numerous war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the likely genocide of the Ukrainian people.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, Maria Lvova-Belova, and other senior Russian officials. Any negotiations with representatives of a state whose leadership is suspected of the gravest international crimes, without clear mechanisms for bringing those responsible to justice, is not only immoral, but also undermines the very system of international law.
Without justice, there can be no lasting peace
The Russia-Ukraine war continues not only because of Russia’s territorial claims for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, but also because Russia systematically disregards almost every possible norm of international law. Any “settlement” without due international justice will not only fail to establish sustainable peace, but also reinforce impunity, creating prerequisites for future expansion of the aggression, escalation, and new crimes.
The insufficient response of foreign states and international organizations to the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and aggressive actions in the east of Ukraine in 2014, as well as numerous crimes by the occupation troops and de facto administration in these territories have instilled a sense of impunity among the Russian leadership. This, in turn, led to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and mass atrocities against the Ukrainian people on a much larger scale. Statements about the possibility of a ceasefire without addressing the issue of responsibility and security guarantees are dangerous. Russia has already used previous “peace agreements” to regroup and prepare for a new offensive and continued aggression. Since the beginning of the aggression in 2014, it has systematically violated not only the norms of international law, but also its own obligations under signed agreements. There is no reason to hope for any changes in its approach and expect that it would adhere to any new agreements.
Therefore, any cessation of hostilities must be based on the principles of international law, which should include holding those responsible for international crimes accountable.
Inadmissibility of political manipulations regarding elections in Ukraine
We emphasize the inadmissibility of interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine. Any “plans” that envision holding elections in Ukraine as a prerequisite for any “peaceful settlement” constitute a gross violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. No external force is entitled to impose political decisions on Ukraine, especially in the context of ongoing aggression and occupation of part of its territories. In addition, elections in wartime conditions will endanger the lives of voters, make it impossible for Ukrainian defenders to properly participate in the electoral process, and, as a result, call into question the legitimacy of any authorities elected in this way.
In connection with the above, we call on:
- States and other subjects of international law to refrain from engaging in negotiations without the direct participation of Ukraine, adhering to the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
- Other human rights and international organizations to condemn such negotiations without the participation of Ukraine and demand that those responsible for international crimes be brought to justice.
- ICC member states to ensure the execution of arrest warrants for individuals responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including Vladimir Putin.
- Governments of UN member states that adhere to the UN Charter and are interested in preserving the principles of international law to strengthen their support for Ukraine as the only real way to end the war on fair terms, as well as to reinforce their sanction pressure on Russia, including additional restrictions on companies that cooperate with the Russian military-industrial complex.
We emphasize that a just and lasting peace is possible only through the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as through inevitable punishment for those guilty of the most serious international crimes. Any attempts at “reconciliation” without Ukraine and without justice for survivors and victims are not only unacceptable, but also dangerous for the entire international legal order.
Coalition “Ukraine. 5 AM”
Truth Hounds
Human Rights Centre ZMINA
Crimean Human Rights Group
Kharkiv Institute for Social Research
NGO “CrimeaSOS”
The Reckoning Project
Almenda Centre for Civic Education
Legal Advisory Group
Human Rights Centre “Diya”
NGO of People with Disabilities “Fight For Right”
Media Initiative for Human Rights
CO CF “Stabilization Support Services”
NGO “Crimean Process”
NGO “Ukraine Without Torture”
NGO “Blue Bird”
NGO “Human Rights Platform”
Institute of Mass Information (IMI)
NGO “Digital Security Lab”
Pylyp Orlyk Institute for Democracy
NGO “Progressive Group of Frankivtsi”
NGO “Ukrainian Institute of Media and Communication”
– NGO “Detector Media”
NGO “Institute of Regional Press Development”
Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group
FREERIGHTS
NGO “Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners”
CSO “Crimea Human Rights House”
Public Holding “Influence Group”
CSO “Educational Human Rights House – Chernihiv”
NGO Centre “Social Action”
NGO “Institute of Regional Press Development”
NGO “Fundamental Research Support Fund”
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
We urge our colleagues to support and share this statement. To add your organization to the list of signatories, please fill out a short form: https://forms.gle/rmQWSRo4QsHWm17x9 . The list of organizations that have supported the statement will be updated accordingly.
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