October 22, 2022

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 20 declared martial law in the four regions annexed from Ukraine. The Russian government set in motion its strong power to mobilize local residents and economies in the four Russian occupied territories for its war. Reportedly, from 50,000 to 60,000 residents in the State of Kherson will be forced to evacuate. Russia is not only violating the UN Charter for its war of aggression but also will trample upon international humanitarian law for its martial rule imposed in the four states.

The invasion of Ukraine and unilateral "annexation" of the occupied areas are actions infringing upon the independence and territorial integrity of other nations which the UN Charter prohibits. International law obliges warring countries to protect civilians in times of war. The Geneva Convention IV relative to the protection of civilian persons prohibits the forcing of residents in occupied territory to work for the occupying military or auxiliary services against their will. Treaty IV of the Geneva Convention also prohibits forced labor pertaining to military action. Forcible transfers of residents in times of war even for security reasons is a violation of this treaty. If a place for the residents to live is the territory of the occupying power of Russia, it will be regarded as mass forcible transfers to that of any other country which the treaty prohibits "regardless of their motive".

By a vote of 143 or over 70% of UN state parties in favor, the UN General Assembly at its emergency special session on October 12 adopted a resolution which nullifies Russia's declaration of the "annexation" of the four Ukrainian regions and demands an immediate retraction of the declaration without conditions. The only choice left for the Putin administration is to stop its war of aggression without delay.

Past related article:
> Shii issues statement condemning Russia’s illegal annexation of occupied regions in Ukraine [October 1, 2022]