LAWorld is a non-exclusive international legal network of 57 independent mid-sized law firms covering most of the major commercial centres around the world, with more than 1350 lawyers across 100 cities. Ever since it was established, LAWorld has been commited to defend the legal principles upon which democracy and the rule of law are based. In line with this understanding all states must respect the fundamental international obligations, values, principles and freedom set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, the Statute of the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights and the other basic rules of international law.
LAWorld therfore expressly condemns the actions of the Russian state, which violates the sovereignty and integrity of the Ukrainian state and violates these fundamental and universally recognized principles of international law. Respect for international law and international treaties must be upheld and maintained. In the current tragic situation in which the Ukrainian people find themselves, respect for the rule of law and human rights is of utmost importance. The military invasion of a sovereign state is an outrageous attack on the rule of law in Europe, and also on the international community.
The Ukrainian nation and people deserve the protection of the international legal order. Against this background, LAWorld expressly endorses the statement of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) as well as of the International Law Association (ILA) on the war in Ukraine. LAWorld, as an international network, attaches particular importance to respecting the universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity and therefore insists that across the world, we must strive for peace, freedom, security and justice. In particular, we express our solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues, judges and other legal professionals in Ukraine, who have been working for years to implement the principles of the rule of law and are now under attack, just like the population. We are mindful also of the position of those Russian colleagues who do not feel able to speak out against this war for fear of repression.
Tony Pointon
Chair of LAWorld
