Indonesian think tank urges UN Charter enforcement on Ukraine

Indonesian think tank The Habibie Center has emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter and UN General Assembly resolutions in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as the war marked four years since its beginning.

Upholding International Law

The Habibie Center delivered its statement during a public discussion titled “Consistency in Upholding the UN Charter” held in Jakarta on Tuesday. Executive Director Mohammad Hasan Ansori stated the institution views the crisis through the lens of democracy and human rights, advocating for solutions rooted in those values.

Ansori reaffirmed the institution’s consistent position, highlighting the need to respect the UN Charter, particularly principles concerning state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rejection of force in dispute resolution. He noted Russia’s actions have threatened regional geopolitical and economic stability.

Violations of the UN Charter

According to Hasan, the conflict violates Articles 1 and 2 of the United Nations Charter, which govern international peace and security and obligate member states to adhere to the organization’s founding principles. He outlined several principles he believes have been violated by Russia, including justice and international law, equal rights and self-determination, and respect for human rights.

Russia is also considered to have breached the principle of sovereign equality among states, as well as the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of other countries.

Accountability and Enforcement

Hasan emphasized the importance of accountability to ensure the UN Charter is more than a moral norm, advocating for effective enforcement. “Without consistent enforcement, the world will become a more dangerous place and conflicts will become easier to ignite. All parties agree that accountability is the foundation of international security,” he said.

He added that challenges in ensuring UN accountability depend heavily on political will, particularly among major powers, power dynamics within the international security system, especially at the UN Security Council, and the selective application of accountability.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged to make every effort to achieve peace and justice in Ukraine, marking four years of the ongoing war. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that lasting, just, and sustainable peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of the conflict, stressing that Moscow’s diplomatic efforts are directed toward that goal.