声明

President’s Statement to Condemn the Russia’s Military Invasion of Ukraine（2022年3月3日）

      The Russian Federation launched a military invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. It has been reported that many, including civilians, have been killed or compelled to evacuate. On February 26th, the Japanese government condemned the Russia’s act as an “invasion.” Although the ceasefire negotiation started on February 28th, fierce assaults by Russia have been continued even during the negotiation.

      War is the most brutal violation of human rights, as it suddenly deprives every important thing from us including our lives, physical safety, health and welfare. We humans have sacrificed many lives and undertook tremendous damage by war repeatedly broken out worldwide in the past.

      Article 2, paragraph 3 of the United Nation Charter states, “All members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means, so as not to endanger international peace, security and justice. Paragraph 4 thereof states, “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner incompatible with the purposes of the United Nations.

      Accordingly, the Russian military invasion of Ukraine is an absolute violation of the UN Charter, which is totally unacceptable for us.

      The Constitution of Japan, which was formulated on the reflection of the past world war, specifies the permanent pacifism in the preamble and confirms that all the people of the world have the right to live in peace, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world. Additionally, its article 9 states “the use of force shall be forever abandoned as a means of settling international disputes.”

      Our mission as lawyers is to protect fundamental human rights and fulfill social justice in accordance with the pacifism of the Constitution of Japan. We, therefore, will not forgive the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and its violation of human rights.

      Accordingly, we strongly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and request the Government of Japan to cooperate with authorities all over the world and make best diplomatic efforts for earlier peaceful settlement of the conflict.