Colombia and Ireland Join South Africa in Case Against Israel's Genocide in Gaza

Palestine solidarity action in Bogota, Colombia,  March 3, 2024.

News reports inform that Colombia and Ireland have joined the case South Africa brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 29, 2023. Colombia and Ireland are signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention and therefore have the right to intervene in this process. Both can present information concerning violations of the Genocide Convention but they are not entitled to make any requests of the court for additional provisional measures. It is the duty of all States Parties to the Convention, including the U.S. and Canada, to promote and ensure, by all means available to them, respect for its provisions and to prevent its violation by any other state.

Colombia's "Declaration of Intervention," sets forth the norms of the Convention that are at issue in the case. Colombia is convinced that the international community must act and support the right of the Palestinian people to exist, which is threatened by Israel's actions and that in the present circumstances, this is tantamount to defending the validity of international law and the Convention against Genocide, one of the great legal and moral conquests of humanity. Colombia decided that the best way to hold Israel accountable was to join with South Africa's case.

At the political level, the government of Colombia said it wishes to support South Africa's courageous action in taking Israel to the International Court of Justice for the genocide it is committing in Gaza.

The Irish government has also decided to intervene in South Africa's case charging Israel with genocide. The Irish cabinet will begin to frame a "Declaration of Intervention" to be submitted in the next few months.

Speaking of current conditions, Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said on March 28 of Israel's refusal to allow sufficient food into Gaza: "It is criminal. It is absolutely a scandal that children are malnourished, that half a population is facing famine and others in terms of food insecurity. There is no need for this."

Ireland also recently signed the "Hague Convention on International Cooperation" in the investigation and prosecution of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other international crimes. The Convention provides for international co-operation mechanisms to strengthen the fight against the most serious international crimes.

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This article was published in

Volume 54 Number 26 - April 15, 2024

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2024/Articles/MS542612.HTM

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