Third comment on Ukraine

CIArb continues to stand with all those who oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine and condemns the invasion in the strongest possible terms as a breach of international law, and we condemn the erosion of the rule of law, much like our previous statement.

As such, CIArb welcomes the UN decision to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council, after a vote on Resolution A/RES/ES-11/3 had a two thirds majority in favour. Russia is the first permanent member of the UN Security Council to have its membership revoked from any UN body and only the second country to have its membership of the Human Rights Council suspended, (following from Libya in 2011). After the vote on Resolution A/RES/ES-11/3 took place, Russia withdrew its membership of the Council with immediate effect.

CIArb is gravely concerned about the mounting evidence of alleged war crimes and atrocities committed by Russian forces that appear to be in direct contravention of established international law, including in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns, where there have been civilian deaths and casualties.

CIArb supports both the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the situation in Ukraine, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) investigation on the allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation). The ICC investigation is led by Karim Khan who trained as a CIArb Fellow.

Our thoughts remain with the people of the Ukraine and all those who stand with them, and with everyone around the world committed to upholding the rule of law.

Where to find related guidance and tracking of sanctions

Tracking sources

• Reuters – Tracking sanctions against Russia
• PIIE: Peterson Institute for International Economics – A sanctions timeline
• Yale School of Management – CELI List of Companies Leaving and Staying in Russia

Sanctions by country (including EU)*

• Australia: Russian sanctions regime
• Bahamas: Statement from the Cabinet Office on Possible Sanctions on Russia
• Canada: Sanctions – Russian invasion of Ukraine
• European Union
  • European Commission
    • Commission Guidance Note on the implementation of certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 833/20141
    • Sanctions adopted following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine
    • Q&A on the fifth package of restrictive measures against Russia
  • European Council
    • EU restrictive measures against Russia over Ukraine (since 2014)
    • Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP
    • Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014
    • Consolidated text: Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine(updates from 23 February 2022)

• Iceland: Iceland takes diplomatic measures against Russia
• Japan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan – Sanction Measures following the launch of military actions by Russia in Ukraine (Statement by Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa)
• New Zealand: Foreign Affairs and Trade – Russian Sanctions
• Norway: Government press releases – New sanctions against Russia incorporated into Norwegian law
• South Korea: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Korean Government’s Decision on Additional Financial Sanctions against Russia
• Singapore:
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sanctions and Restrictions Against Russia in Response to its Invasion of Ukraine
  • MFA Spokesperson's Comments on the United Nations General Assembly Vote to Suspend the Rights of Membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council on 7 April 2022
• Switzerland: The Federal Council – Ukraine: Adoption of further EU sanctions against Russia; “Measures related to the Situation in Ukraine” (Massnahmen im Zusammenhang mit der Situation in der Ukraine)
• Taiwan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of China (Taiwan) - The Republic of China (Taiwan) government strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter, joins international economic sanctions against Russia
• United Kingdom
  • UK: The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
    • Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, laid on 10 February 2022, which amended the definition of ‘involved person’ in the criteria which give grounds for a person to be designated
  • UK: sanctions regimes came fully into force under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (the Sanctions Act) on 31 December 2020
  • UK: Collection of UK sanctions relating to Russia (dated from April 2019)
  • UK: Government guidance – the UK Sanctions List
• United States of America
  • S Department of the Treasury: Ukraine/Russian related sanctions
  • OFAC – Office of Foreign Assets Control: Ukraine/Russia-related sanctions program
  • S. Treasury Escalates Sanctions on Russia for Its Atrocities in Ukraine

*Please note, the list was up to date at the time of publication, and CIArb is not monitoring this list on a daily basis.