Latest news with #ICJ
The Citizen
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa's spokesperson defends SA's ICJ case against Israel
"Israeli soldiers have deliberately shot at unarmed Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza". President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has defended South Africa's International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel after an attack on a school in Gaza. Charred remains of Palestinian women and children were pulled from under the rubble in Gaza on Friday after the Israeli army bombed the Osama Bin Zaid School, packed with displaced families. Israel attack A series of Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks across the Gaza Strip on Friday killed at least 78 Palestinians, including 12 aid seekers, as Israel's war on the besieged enclave continues unabated. At least eight people were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit on the Osama Bin Zaid school, which had been sheltering displaced families in the Saftawi area of northern Gaza's Jabalia. A fire broke out inside a classroom following the strike, triggering panic among those inside. The strike has once again raised alarm over the targeting of civilian shelters. ALSO READ: Israel accused of starving Gaza 'by design' — South Africa addresses ICJ SA ICJ case Magwenya dismissed those who questioned why South Africa had taken Israel to the ICJ after the attack on the school.. 'And then the temerity of those telling us we shouldn't have launched a case at the ICJ. Silence and inaction are not options. May their souls rest in peace'. And then the temerity of those telling us we shouldn't have launched a case at the ICJ. Silence and inaction are not options. May their souls rest in peace. — Vincent Magwenya 🇿🇦 (@SpokespersonRSA) June 27, 2025 In its initial application, South Africa submitted an 84-page application at the ICJ on 29 December 2023, pleading with the court to find Israel guilty of suspected genocide and order it to, among other things, halt its invasion in Gaza. Israel defiant Since launching the case at the ICJ, South Africa has approached the court four times, requesting interim measures to halt Israel's attacks on the occupied territory. Despite three orders being granted in South Africa's favour, they have had little to no impact on all forms of Israel's attacks on Palestinian life, essential services and the need for humanitarian aid. ALSO READ: SA won't drop ICJ case against Israel, even if Trump waives restrictions – Dirco Israeli soldiers 'ordered' to shoot Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers have deliberately shot at unarmed Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza after being 'ordered' to do so by their commanders, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports. Israel ordered an investigation into possible war crimes over the allegations by some soldiers that it revealed on Friday, Haaretz said. At least 549 Palestinians have been killed and 4,066 injured while waiting for food aid distributed at sites run by the Israeli-and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the Gaza Government Media Office said on Thursday, Al Jazeera reported. 'Killing field' According to the Haaretz report, which quoted unnamed Israeli soldiers, troops were told to fire at the crowds of Palestinians and use unnecessary lethal force against people who appeared to pose no threat. 'We fired machineguns from tanks and threw grenades,' one soldier told Haaretz. 'There was one incident where a group of civilians was hit while advancing under the cover of fog.' In another instance, a soldier said that where they were stationed in Gaza, between 'one and five people were killed every day'. 'It's a killing field,' that soldier said. Israel responds The Israeli army 'strongly rejected' the accusations in the report, according to a military statement published on Telegram. 'Any allegation of a deviation from the law or [military] directives will be thoroughly examined, and further action will be taken as necessary. The allegations of deliberate fire toward civilians presented in the article are not recognized in the field,' it said. ALSO READ: SA among 38 countries to present at ICJ hearings on Israel's actions
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Cambodia is committed to peace on the border
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Advertisement Your June 2 article , 'Cambodia to file complaint with ICJ over Thai border dispute that left 1 soldier dead', rightly draws attention to a serious issue facing both our nations. The unprovoked shooting by a Thai soldier on May 28 that led to the tragic death of a Cambodian soldier occurred near Techo Morokot village in Preah Vihear province, close to the historic Preah Vihear Temple, in a sector long administered by Cambodia. It is one of four zones administered by Cambodia but still subject to Thai claims despite clear legal foundations. Cambodia responded to this tragedy not with escalation but with restraint and principle, proposing that both nations submit the matter jointly to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). When that offer was declined, Cambodia chose to proceed with the ICJ independently, openly and in accordance with international law. The ICJ exists precisely to adjudicate such disputes. Cambodia's decision to approach the ICJ is not about reviving historical grievances or fanning nationalist flames. It is about preventing further loss of life, safeguarding regional stability and strengthening the rules-based order in Southeast Asia. The people who live along our shared frontier, Cambodians and Thais alike, are the ones most directly affected. When tensions rise, cross-border trade suffers, livelihoods are disrupted and fear takes hold. The ICJ has ruled on this frontier before, and Cambodia respects that process. In 1962, the court determined that the Preah Vihear Temple lies on Cambodian territory, relying in part on a map drawn by French surveyors in 1907 and later formally acknowledged by Thai officials, who have used this map without objection for years. In 2013, the court reaffirmed Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple and clarified that it includes the surrounding area necessary for access and protection. These legal principles continue to guide Cambodia's peaceful approach today. Advertisement Notably, Cambodia is not producing rival maps or engaging in political grandstanding. We continue to rely on legal norms and remain open to technical cooperation in non-contested areas.
Euronews
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
We don't know where they are, say families of French prisoners in Iran
For three years, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, a French couple accused of "espionage" by Iran, have been held in Tehran's Evin prison, a large complex in the capital where torture and executions are commonplace. For Noémie Kohler, Cécile's sister, the Israeli strike on 23 June targeting Evin prison was everything she had feared. Despite the ceasefire between Iran and Israel that came into force on Tuesday 24 June, she is anxiously awaiting news. "We spent hours not knowing whether Cécile and Jacques had been hit by the bombing, or whether they were still alive. In the evening, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs was informed that Cécile and Jacques had not been hit by the Iranian authorities, but so far we have had no concrete sign of life, nor any direct contact with them," she says. Following the Israeli strike, the Iranian prison authorities announced the transfer of a number of prisoners to other prisons. But the family doesn't know if the couple are among them. "We know nothing about their situation, we're extremely worried, we imagine they've been transferred too, but we don't know where," explains Noémie. Until now, Cécile, a 40-year-old literature teacher, and Jacques, a 71-year-old retired mathematics teacher, have been held in section 209 of Evin prison, where political prisoners and foreign nationals are detained. "On 6 October 2023, they were forced to make forced confessions on Iranian television. They were made to confess that they were agents of the French intelligence services," explains Noémie, who claims that the couple were on a tourist trip when they were arrested on 7 May 2022. Noémie's last contact with her sister was on 28 May 2025. "We can't call her, she always calls us and it's very random, it's up to her jailers. It's almost always WhatsApp videos of between three and ten minutes under close surveillance, sometimes we wait a month, sometimes three," she explains. Under these conditions, it is difficult for the family to speak freely with Noémie. "Every time we call each other, her face is surrounded by a very tight chador [a head covering similar to a hijab] and through her body language, we know that there are people around her, we hear people whispering around her, we feel that she is under pressure," she adds. Since their imprisonment in May 2022, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris have been granted just four consular visits. The French government lodged an application against Iran with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 16 May, designating them as "state hostages" and accusing Iran of violating the right to consular protection enshrined in the Vienna Convention. "On 30 May 2025, following France's request, Cécile and Jacques received their fifth consular visit in three years. We were told that they still have no furniture, that they sleep on the floor in a windowless cell that is lit 24 hours a day. They only see daylight three times a week and go out into an inner courtyard for around 30 minutes," explains Noémie. "Since December 2024, they have been waiting for a verdict, which they are told will be extremely severe and imminent, but it never arrives - it's psychological torture," she adds. She believes that Cécile and Jacques' condition has deteriorated rapidly in recent months: "They are increasingly weakened by their detention, they are getting worse and worse, they are at the end of their tether. They really doubt France's ability to get them out of there." In an article published on X on 21 June, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he had called for the release of the French couple during a call with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian: "Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris must be released. Their inhumane detention is unjust. I expect them to return to France." Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are officially the last French nationals detained in Iran, following the release of Olivier Grondeau in March 2025, who was imprisoned in October 2022. On 20 June, the Iranian news agency Tasnim announced that a European citizen, whose nationality was not disclosed, had recently been arrested in Iran, accused of "spying in sensitive areas" of the country. According to estimates by the NGO Hostage Aid Worldwide, around 15 Europeans and dual nationals from Sweden, France, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany and the UK are imprisoned in Iran. Human rights groups accuse Tehran of practising a policy of hostage diplomacy, using Europeans and dual nationals as "bargaining chips" to facilitate its negotiations with the West.
Irish Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Ireland becomes first EU nation to introduce ban on trade with Israeli settlements
IRELAND has become the first country in the EU to bring forward legislation that bans trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The law, titled the 'Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025', was approved by the Irish Cabinet and is now headed to the Oireachtas committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. Tánaiste Simon Harris described the bill as a moral and legal response to the 'horrifying situation' in Gaza and Israel's continued settlement expansion in occupied territories - actions deemed illegal under international law. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Harris stated, 'Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza.' He acknowledged Ireland's isolation within the EU on this issue, saying that no other EU country has yet introduced similar legislation. 'We're pretty lonely out there,' he said. 'But in the absence of Europe moving together, we're going to go ahead with our own domestic legislation.' He called on his EU counterparts to join Ireland in pushing for collective action. 'It would be a hell of a lot better if Europe moved together on it, and a hell of a lot more impactful,' Mr Harris said. The legislation follows the 2024 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, which concluded that Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violate international law. The ICJ also held that third countries must stop aiding or trading with such settlements. Mr Harris cited this ruling as a driving force in the legal foundation of Ireland's new bill, arguing that trade with these settlements contributes to maintaining an illegal situation. The proposed law will criminalise the importation of goods from Israeli settlements, granting customs officials authority to inspect, seize or confiscate them. 'We want a law that is impactful and compliant with the laws of our land,' he said. While nine EU member states - including Spain, Sweden and Belgium - have recently called on the European Commission to explore ways to align trade practices with international law, none have gone as far as Ireland. 'This is an issue that I will continue to press at EU level,' he stated, adding that he hopes Ireland's example will act as a catalyst for broader European action. The move has drawn swift condemnation from Israeli officials. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labelled the legislation 'shameful', accusing Ireland of singling out Israel during a time when it faces threats throughout the region. 'It is regrettable that even when Israel is fighting an existential threat, which is in Europe's vital interest - there are those who can't resist their anti-Israeli obsession,' Saar wrote on social media. Despite this, Mr Harris emphasised that Ireland's stance is not anti-Israel but rooted in international legal obligations and humanitarian concerns. He pointed to widespread Irish public outrage over the situation in Gaza, saying, 'Everybody in this country is sickened to the pit of their stomach with the genocide they see in Gaza… particularly children.' With the bill now before an Oireachtas committee, the government expects all coalition members to support it as part of the Programme for Government. Whether Ireland's move sparks broader EU action remains to be seen. See More: EU, Israel, Palestine, Simon Harris, West Bank
DW
a day ago
- Politics
- DW
The case against Putin: Can tribunals bring justice? – DW – 06/27/2025
A new special tribunal is to prosecute leading Russian politicians, including President Vladimir Putin, for the war of aggression against Ukraine. Legal action is already underway in other courts. More than three years after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, international criminal prosecution is gaining momentum. On Wednesday, the Council of Europe and the Ukrainian government signed an agreement in Strasbourg to establish a special tribunal dedicated to the "crime of aggression" which refers to a largely unpunished violation of international law. The aim is to hold high-ranking representatives of the Russian leadership, possibly including President Vladimir Putin himself, criminally responsible for the decision to wage war against Ukraine. "Strong political cooperation is needed to ensure that every Russian war criminal is brought to justice, including Putin," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the signing ceremony in inch of Russia's war has been documented, stated Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on X. "There is no room for doubt — and no room for impunity," she wrote. The special tribunal is legally bound by international customary law and resolutions of the UN General Assembly. It will most likely be based in The Hague and close a gap that the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is also based there, has not yet been able to address: The punishment of the decision to wage aggressive war itself, not just the crimes committed during the war. However, as Russia never ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC, its politicians cannot be directly prosecuted by it at this point. Still, the new tribunal is just one of numerous attempts to legally prosecute Russia for its war of aggression in Ukraine. In March 2023, the ICC in The Hague issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin for the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. The government in Kyiv documented almost 20,000 minors who were deported from Ukraine to Russia in the course of the war. However, human rights organizations assume that the number of unreported cases is far higher. In 2024, further arrest warrants were issued for then Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's General Staff chief, General Valery Gerasimov including for targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In 2022, Ukraine filed a lawsuit against Russia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Unlike the ICC, which is directed against individuals who have committed serious crimes, the ICJ deals exclusively with legal disputes between states, for example over borders or treaty violations. The ICJ is also based in The Hague, but unlike the Criminal Court, it is an organ of the United Nations. In the specific case, Russia justified its attack on Ukraine in 2022 with an alleged "genocide of Russians" in the Donbas. Ukraine has firmly rejected this accusation. It sees this as a Russian abuse of the international genocide convention and filed a lawsuit. In March 2023, the ICJ confirmed its jurisdiction and the main proceedings are ongoing. However, another lawsuit filed by Kyiv in 2017 against Russia for alleged terrorist financing was largely dismissed by the ICJ in 2024. Several cases are currently pending against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). One case is in connection with the downing of the MH17 passenger plane over eastern Ukraine in 2014. Another case refers to the ongoing repression in Crimea since its annexation in the same year. The ECtHR is an organ of the Council of Europe. In September 2022, Russia avoided the threat of expulsion and left the organization. As a result, new complaints against Russia can no longer be submitted to the ECtHR. Previously submitted complaints are still being heard, however, and judgments in these cases remain legally valid, at least in theory. However, Russia has repeatedly disregarded ECtHR judgments in the past. In addition, national authorities, for example in Germany, France, Spain and Lithuania, are investigating Russian actors for possible war crimes on the basis of the principle of universal jurisdiction. The principle of universal jurisdiction is a principle of international law that allows states to prosecute particularly serious crimes even if the perpetrator, victim or crime scene are not located in their own country. The newly established special tribunal is set to begin its work in the coming months. First, judges and prosecutors must be appointed. However, it is extremely unlikely that it will ever be able to bring defendants such as Vladimir Putin to justice in person. On the one hand, a trial against Putin would only be possible after the end of his presidency, as sitting heads of state and members of government enjoy immunity. On the other hand, Russia does not recognize international courts and extradition is considered impossible. The proceedings there will therefore in all likelihood only be able to take place in the absence of the accused. According to the Council of Europe, the tribunal is nevertheless important, for example to gather evidence and prepare charges, and as a blueprint for the legal prosecution of possible future acts of aggression in violation of international law, whether by Russia or other view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
