Chile filed a declaration of intervention Friday in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The South American country submitted its declaration under Article 63 of the Statute of the ICJ, which gives states a right to intervene in the interpretation of a multilateral convention. Chile’s intervention highlights several key issues, including the duty to prevent and punish genocide under the Genocide Convention.
First, Chile challenges Israel’s claim that the ICJ lacks jurisdiction over Gaza, arguing that a dispute exists when “two sides holds clearly opposite views concerning certain international obligations.” It also contends that the erga omnes partes character of the Convention allows any state party to hold another state party accountable for violations, making Israel’s argument about the lack of bilateral interaction with South Africa irrelevant.
Chile also asserts, which the ICJ’s recent advisory opinion on the occupation of Palestine similarly held, that Palestinians are a protected group under the Convention and that genocidal intent involves the specific aim to physically or biologically destroy such a group.
On the duty to prevent genocide, Chile contends that Article I imposes on Israel a due diligence obligation to prevent genocide and Israel should be held accountable if it failed to take effective measures, regardless of whether genocide has occurred. Chile also stated that Israel must be aware of the serious risk that genocidal act might be committed from the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ.
On Israel’s duty to punish genocide, Chile maintains that the duty to punish extends to the temporary holder of occupied territories. To hold otherwise would frustrate the purpose of the Convention and exempt Israel from fulfilling its obligations, as the occupying power of Gaza, under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Lastly, Chile calls on the ICJ to assess whether the public appeals made by several Israeli authorities amounted to direct (a call for criminal action) and public incitement. Chile particularly highlighted the use of dehumanizing language by Israeli officials and the importance to assess them in the cultural context. The failure to punish all individuals responsible for direct and public incitement to commit genocide breaches the state’s obligation under the Convention.
After Chile filed its declaration, the ICJ has invited South Africa and Israel to submit observations on Chile’s declaration.
South Africa initiated the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention during military operations in Gaza. Since then, the ICJ has issued multiple provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Several countries, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Türkiye have already filed their declarations of intervention. Egypt also announced its intention to intervene in May 2o24. Chile’s intervention adds to international scrutiny and legal interpretation of the Convention’s provisions.
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