Overview of the workshop (Photo: VNA) Moscow(VNA) – The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) and thePeace Foundation of Russia have jointly held an international workshop inMoscow to discuss the current situation in the East Sea and feasible solutionsto disputes.
The event, runningfrom September 20-22, drew IADL leaders as well as lawyers and experts fromvarious countries, including Belgium, Russia, Italy, France, India, Japan,China, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Participants analysedthe current situation in the East Sea and made recommendations on measures to handledisputes in the waters in a peaceful manner.
They held thatalthough the East Sea situation seems to have calmed down compared to the time whenthe Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling was given in July 2016, thereare many complicated latent problems in the sea, one of which is the illegal constructionand reinforcement of artificial islands as well as militarization activities inthe waters.
Some delegates voicedtheir opinions that China’s “nine-dash line” claims in the East Sea aregroundless and do not abide to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)1982.
Participants also suggesteda number of solutions to deal with disputes in a peaceful manner, including theuse of mediation, arbitration and open consultation mechanisms in line withUNCLOS regulations. However, they asserted that in any solution, all partiesmust strictly abide by international law, including the PCA ruling on East Seaissue and the settlement of disputes through multilateral mechanisms.
At the event, IADLPresident Jeanne Mirer lauded the ideas and recommendations of delegates. Shesaid that over the past years, the IADL has called for peaceful settlement ofdisputes in the East Sea in line with international law, as the disputesdirectly threaten peace, stability, cooperation and development in the regionand the world.
She asked alldelegates to report the outcomes of the event to their governments forconsideration towards applying suitable ideas.
Mirer also suggestedthat all relevant parties end militarization activities as well as the illegalconsolidation and reinforcement of artificial islands, in order to start theprocess of trust building to maintain and protect the ecosystem in the region.
She also stressed theneed for strict obedience of international law, especially the UNCLOS,including state’s obligations in ensuring maritime and overflight rights, aswell as peaceful settlement of disputes without using or threatening to useforce.
She asked the IADL membersto continue keeping a close watch on East Sea developments to give timelyadvice.
IADL is anon-governmental organisation serving as the advisory body of the UN Economicand Social Council (ECOSOC). Founded in 1946, the organisation has implementedits role in supporting and maintaining international law, protecting the rightsof states in development, economic fairness and access to technology advancesas well as natural resources.-VNA
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