PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE, RESPECTING INTERNATIONAL LAW, THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

Draft resolution submitted by the delegation of NEW ZEALAND

The 144th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

(1) Recalling that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments working for peace, democracy and human rights,

(2) Conscious of the historical legacy of the IPU in facilitating peaceful engagement through dialogue and diplomacy and noting the Belgrade Declaration on strengthening international law, parliamentary roles and mechanisms, and the contribution of regional cooperation, adopted at the 141st IPU Assembly in Serbia, in which the IPU agreed to dedicate itself to international peace and the rule of law,

(3) Recalling that, on 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation launched a full-scale military attack against the sovereign nation of Ukraine and its people,

(4) Committed to total adherence to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (1945) and mindful of national commitments to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948),

(5) Reiterating that the Charter of the United Nations prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states,

(6) Recognizing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as referred to in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 68/262,

(7) Recalling UNGA resolution 76/234 on promoting international cooperation on peaceful uses in the context of international security, adopted in December 2021,

(8) Recalling also UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, adopted in October 2000, which addresses the impact of war on women and the importance of women’s full and equal participation in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and post-conflict reconstruction,

(9) Welcoming the adoption of UNGA resolution ES-11/1 deploring the actions of the Russian Federation and demanding that it immediately cease the use of force against Ukraine and withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine as defined by its internationally recognized borders,

(10) Recalling that, under Article 5 of the Annex to UNGA resolution 3314 (XXIX) on the Definition of Aggression, no consideration of whatever nature, whether political, economic, military or otherwise, may serve as a justification for aggression and that a war of aggression is a crime against international peace,

(11) Recalling also that, since 24 February 2022, the ongoing war has caused immense human suffering, with hundreds of civilians killed and more than one thousand wounded,

(12) Gravely concerned at the threat to global peace and security posed by President Putin’s decision to order Russian nuclear forces onto a special regime of operation and a “high alert” level of readiness,

(13) Noting that the leadership of the Russian Federation has committed a crime of aggression, which is a flagrant violation of a fundamental rule of international criminal law,

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(14) Reaffirming that any hostilities amounting to an armed conflict shall be strictly governed by the rules of international humanitarian law and human rights law,

(15) Acknowledging with deepest appreciation the incredible bravery, commitment and resolve of the people of Ukraine in the face of such adversity, including the unwavering commitment of fellow parliamentarians in the Verkhovna Rada to uphold democracy despite the significant personal risks they have faced,

(16) Recalling the Statement on Ukraine issued by the Executive Committee of the IPU on 26 February 2022,

1. Notes with concern the war in Ukraine, which threatens the long-standing peace and security of the European region, with wider repercussions for global security and potentially global economic uncertainties and global complexities;

2. Expresses its deep concern regarding the still ongoing Russian act of war against Ukraine as a violation of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations including the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity recognized by all UN Member States;

3. Deplores the use of missiles and artillery by the Russian Federation targeting civilian objects and populations in violation of international humanitarian law;

4. Considers attacks against medical units and personnel, and improper use of military emblems, insignia and uniforms of the adversary by the Russian Federation in violation of international humanitarian law;

5. Calls for full compliance with the rules of international humanitarian law;

6. Urges countries to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine to alleviate the hardships now faced by its civilian population caused by the destructive and indiscriminate acts of unprovoked, unjustified military aggression by the Russian Federation;

7. Calls upon all nations able to assist to open their borders on a humanitarian basis to provide sanctuary and support for Ukrainian refugees;

8. Encourages parliaments to deploy their utmost efforts in accordance with their respective duties, mandates and obligations to call on their respective national governments to bring this act of aggression to an end and enable the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful and sustainable means;

9. Encourages all IPU Member Parliaments to jointly support all efforts to de-escalate the current violent military attack on the people, towns and cities of Ukraine;

10. Calls upon the parties involved to establish humanitarian corridors, ensure the safe passage of all civilians, particularly women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups, and respect the human rights of refugees in line with UN conventions;

11. Calls upon IPU Member Parliaments to do everything in their power to facilitate humanitarian assistance and support to those fleeing this war;

12. Appeals to Members of Parliament in both the Russian Federation and Ukraine to promote initiatives to cease hostilities and resolve differences through peaceful, diplomatic means;

13. Calls upon all governments with influence over both countries to accelerate diplomatic efforts to agree an immediate ceasefire resulting in the Russian Federation withdrawing its forces from Ukraine;

14. Calls upon the IPU to use its good offices to encourage dialogue between parliamentarians in both countries in support of diplomatic efforts under the framework of a rules-based international order respecting the principles of sovereignty and complete avoidance of interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation.