Resolution of 2 March 2022
In the circumstances of the deployment of Russian armed forces into Ukraine, the European Association of Health Law (EAHL), an entirely independent non-profit organisation for health lawyers across Europa (including Russian and Ukrainian health lawyers) established with the aims to strengthen the health and human rights interface throughout Europe, wishes:
(a) to summarise three fundamental legal principles:
(1) All States must respect the fundamental obligations, values, principles and freedoms set out in the Charter of the United Nations, the Statute of the Council of Europe, the European Convention of Human Rights, and other general principles of public international law.
(2) The use of armed forces by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations, is a crime under international law, which was clearly defined in the Nuremberg Principles
of 1945 and has been widely reflected in numerous charters and statutes including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
(3) Individual persons who commit or participate in such a crime are responsible under international law for their actions.
(b) to condemn the violation of principles of medical neutrality,
(c) to reiterate its unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.
This statement is inspired by the resolution of the European Law Institute (ELI) of 24 February
As approved by the EAHL board.
