Bolivia supports South Africa's genocide case against 'Israel'
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Bolivia joins the string of states presenting filings to support South Africa's genocide case against "Israel" in the ICJ.
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Judges arrive at the United Nations' highest court to open historic hearings in The Hague, Netherlands, on February 19, 2024. (AP)
Bolivia filed a declaration of intervention in the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
"Yesterday, Bolivia, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court a Declaration of intervention in the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)," ICJ said in a statement.
PRESS RELEASE: #Bolivia filed a declaration of intervention in the case concerning the Application of the Convention the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (#SouthAfrica v. #Israel) https://t.co/yG5TPwzq8m pic.twitter.com/l6dU3Iteu6
— CIJ_ICJ (@CIJ_ICJ) October 9, 2024
According to Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, any state that is a party to a convention has the right to intervene in proceedings related to the interpretation of that convention.
Bolivia's decision means that the Court's interpretation in its eventual ruling will also be binding on Bolivia.
In its declaration, Bolivia emphasized its interest in the interpretation of several provisions of the Genocide Convention, including Articles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and IX.
These articles address essential aspects such as the definition of genocide, the obligations to prevent and punish the crime, and the ICJ's jurisdiction over disputes concerning the convention.
Maldives also asked to intervene in case against 'Israel'
Bolivia's filing comes after the Maldives submitted a request on October 2 to join South Africa's lawsuit against "Israel" on charges of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
"Yesterday, the Maldives, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court a declaration of intervention in the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)," the court said in a statement.
The court added that the Maldives is exercising its right to intervene in the proceedings, citing its status as a party to the Genocide Convention.
It is worth noting that several countries have either joined or expressed their intention to join South Africa's genocide case against "Israel" at the ICJ.
Notably, Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, and now the Maldives have formally submitted requests to participate in the proceedings. Other countries, including Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Turkey, and Egypt have announced their intention to intervene.
South Africa vs. "Israel" genocide case
Earlier last month, the South African presidency said that the genocide case against the Israeli occupation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is moving forward.
"South Africa intends to provide facts and evidence to prove that Israel is committing the crime of genocide in Palestine," the statement declared.
In late 2023, South Africa filed a case against "Israel" before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing it of violating its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The statement emphasized that the case would proceed until the ICJ delivered its final ruling. In the meantime, South Africa voiced hope that the Israeli occupation would comply with the court's provisional orders, which have been issued throughout the hearings.
One such order, made in May, directed the Israeli occupation to cease its offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza, marking the third time the court had called for action to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"Israel" has repeatedly ignored the provisional rulings and continued committing massacres in Gaza.
South Africa also highlighted that the case reflects a broader global effort to promote peace in the Middle East, with several nations, including Turkey, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, joining the case.
