Peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, respecting international law, the Charter of the United Nations and territorial integrity

144th IPU Assembly
Nusa Dua, Indonesia
20-24 March 2022
E
#IPU144
Peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, respecting
international law, the Charter of the United Nations and
territorial integrity
Resolution adopted by consensus by the 144th IPU Assembly
(Nusa Dua, 23 March 2022)
The 144th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,
Recalling that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization
of national parliaments working for peace, democracy, human rights and development,
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,
Recalling that, on 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation launched a
full-scale military attack invading the sovereign nation of Ukraine and its people,
Committed to ensuring 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),
Reiterating that the Charter of the United Nations prohibits the use of force
against the territorial integrity or political independence of states,
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 of March 2014,
Recalling UNGA resolution 76/234 on promoting international cooperation on
peaceful uses in the context of international security, adopted in December 2021,
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,
Welcoming the adoption of UNGA resolution ES-11/L.1 of March 2022
deploring the aggression 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,
Recalling that, under Article 5 of the Annex to UNGA resolution 3314 (XXIX) of
December 1974 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,
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IPU Alm.del - Bilag 10
Dansk Interparlamentarisk Gruppes bestyrelse 2021-22
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Recalling also that, since 24 February 2022, the ongoing war has caused immense
human suffering, with thousands of civilians killed, many more wounded and millions displaced, in
particular women, children, the elderly and the disabled,
Gravely concerned at the threat to global peace and security posed by the decision to
order Russian nuclear forces onto a special regime of operation and a “high alert” level of
readiness, and noting the urgency for the Russian Federation to withdraw this threat and refrain
from making such threats,
Noting that the Russian Federation has committed an act of aggression that may
constitute a violation of a fundamental rule of international law,
Reaffirming that any hostilities amounting to an armed conflict shall be strictly
governed by the rules of international humanitarian law and human rights law,
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,
Recalling the Statement on Ukraine issued by the Executive Committee of the IPU on
26 February 2022 and presented to the Governing Council on 21 March 2022, and reaffirming the
IPU’s willingness to impartially mediate for a peaceful resolution and to listen to all parties in the
hostilities,
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. Condemns the ongoing Russian use of force against Ukraine as a violation of Article
2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations, including the principles 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. Expresses concern regarding the 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; and appeals to all
IPU Members to engage immediately to join UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO in calling for
an immediate cessation of all attacks on healthcare units in Ukraine and facilitating the
safe passage of humanitarian support and aid to Ukraine;
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 this war;
7. Calls upon all nations able to assist to open their borders on a humanitarian basis to
provide sanctuary and support for refugees fleeing Ukraine;
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 peaceful efforts to de-
escalate the current violent military attack on the people, towns and cities of Ukraine;
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10. Calls upon the parties involved to establish humanitarian corridors, ensure the safe
passage of all civilians, particularly women, children, the elderly, people with
disabilities and other vulnerable groups, and respect the human rights of refugees in
line with UN conventions;
11. Calls upon IPU Member Parliaments to do their utmost to facilitate humanitarian
assistance to and support for those fleeing this war; and to ensure full and equal
participation of women in the peace dialogues between parliamentarians of both
countries;
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 and
recommends that the IPU establish a Task Force on the situation in Ukraine to
facilitate the role of parliaments in formulating feasible peaceful solutions.
 After the adoption of the Resolution, a number of delegations took the floor to express their reservations:
- Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe, which expressed reservations to operative
paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, as well as to operative paragraphs 8 (UAE and Zimbabwe) and 9 (Zimbabwe)
- China, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Syrian Arab Republic and Viet Nam, which expressed a
reservation to the entire text of the Resolution
Belarus and South Africa expressed their opposition to the Resolution.