The International Bar Association (IBA) has voiced serious concern over the recent military intervention in Venezuela, warning that the action raises significant questions under international law.
In a statement jointly issued by IBA President Claudio Visco and IBA Executive Director Mark Ellis, the global legal body said that irrespective of any arguments put forward to justify the intervention, its legality remains deeply questionable within the framework of international law.
The association acknowledged that it is fully aware of the grave and well-documented allegations levelled against Nicolas Maduro and senior figures within his administration. These include claims of serious human rights abuses, the systematic suppression of democratic institutions, and actions that have contributed to widespread humanitarian suffering across the country.
According to the IBA, the allegations against Maduro are profoundly disturbing and deserve thorough examination and accountability under both domestic and international legal systems.
The association stressed that such accountability should be pursued strictly through lawful channels, including international courts or independent domestic judicial processes, rather than through unilateral force.
“However, the United Nations Charter, whose core principles are fully embedded in the IBA’s Constitution since 1947 and are constantly upheld by the Association, enshrine the essence of the international legal order, including the sovereign equality of states, the prohibition of intervention in matters within domestic jurisdiction, and the prohibition on the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. These principles are binding on all UN Member States,” IBA said.
The association further warned that actions designed to compel political change in another country, when carried out outside internationally recognised legal frameworks, violate these obligations and risk setting dangerous precedents.
“Measures or policies aimed at coercing political change in another state, when undertaken outside internationally recognised legal frameworks, are inconsistent with these obligations and risk normalising conduct that international law was designed to prevent. Even in the face of ongoing reprehensible conduct by state leaders, adherence to international law remains essential to preserving the integrity of the rules-based international order.”
The IBA reiterated its support for a democratic transition in Venezuela but emphasised that any such transition must respect the rule of law and established international legal principles. The association maintained that upholding international law remains critical, even in complex political situations involving alleged misconduct by state leaders.
What you should know
The International Bar Association is a leading global organisation representing legal professionals and bar associations worldwide.
Its interventions on international crises focus on protecting the rule of law, human rights, and the integrity of international legal frameworks. While the IBA recognises serious allegations against Venezuela’s leadership, it consistently maintains that accountability must come through lawful judicial processes, not military action.
The association’s position reflects broader concerns within the international legal community about preserving the authority of the United Nations Charter and preventing the erosion of rules governing the use of force between states.
