Nicaragua urges 4 Western nations to end complicity in Gaza genocide

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
5 Feb 2024 16:16
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Nicaragua asserts that the governments of the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada persist in neglecting their responsibilities and actively aid "Israel" in violating international law.

An Israeli tank patrolling destroyed areas in Gaza on January 19 (AFP/Getty Images)

Nicaragua has formally notified the governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada of their accountability under international law regarding the Israeli aggression against Palestinians, most notably in Gaza.

In a statement, the Central American country stressed that these nations are responsible for "gross and systematic violations to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, international humanitarian law, and customary law."

The accusations specifically pertain to the law of occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with a focus on the Gaza Strip.

Nicaragua, in a diplomatic communication, reminded the governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada that the International Court of Justice had, on January 26, 2024, determined that certain rights claimed by South Africa in connection to Israeli actions against Palestinians were plausible. Specifically, the court acknowledged the plausibility of the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be safeguarded from acts of genocide and related prohibited actions outlined in Article III.

While the Order on Provisional Measures by the Court does not constitute a final judgment on the merits, ICJ acknowledged, based on publicly available evidence, the plausibility of "Israel" violating the Genocide Convention, as per the statement.

The International Court of Justice's determination that genocide is plausible in the Gaza Strip should align with the international community's assessment, given their awareness of the facts leading to the Court's conclusion, it added.

The statement further stressed that the obligation to prevent genocide comes into effect when there is a risk or plausibility of its occurrence, a condition now beyond doubt and dispute.

"In that sense, Nicaragua has urged the governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada to immediately halt the supply of arms, ammunitions, technology and/or components to Israel as it is plausible they might have been used to facilitate or commit violations of the Genocide Convention, including but not limited to acts of genocide, attempted genocide, complicity in genocide and conspiracy to commit genocide," the statement read.

The statement also highlighted that the supply of military weapons and other aid with the potential for use in the ongoing genocide has not ceased or decreased since October 7.

Furthermore, Nicaragua has reiterated to these governments that a state's responsibility to prevent and the corresponding duty to take action arise immediately when the state becomes aware or should reasonably have become aware of a significant risk of genocide being perpetrated, it added.

UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Canada aid "Israel" in violating international aid

The Central American country cautioned that the recent declarations from these governments regarding the suspension of funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reveal that, in the current context, the governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada persist in neglecting their responsibilities and actively aiding "Israel" in violating international law.

This situation severely and immediately harms the Palestinian people, especially those in Gaza, and the global community as a whole, it added in its statement.

Nicaragua emphasized that such actions contribute to the collective punishment of Palestinians and align with the apparent objective of forcing them to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly Gaza while obstructing their right to self-determination.

In response to the halt of UNRWA funding, Nicaragua has formally notified these governments in writing that it will take all necessary measures, in adherence to international law, including potentially seeking intervention from the International Court of Justice.

The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity reiterated its unwavering dedication to upholding the Rule of Law on the global stage, advocating for the peaceful resolution of wars, the statement concluded.

It is worth noting that several donor countries have lately suspended funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after the Israeli occupation claimed that some UNRWA staff took part in the Palestinian Resistance's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.

Earlier today, UNRWA’s Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, said during an interview for the Financial Times that "Israel" has not furnished evidence to support its accusations against the agency.

This comes amid a movement to stigmatize the agency's credibility after "Israel" accused 12 of its members of being affiliated with the October 7 operation conducted by the Palestinian Resistance. As a result, an abundance of countries have opted to defund the organization, primarily led by the United States, prior to any investigation and without any proof provided.