Nicaragua presents case against Germany at ICJ over Gaza war

World

Published: 2024-04-08 12:45

Last Updated: 2024-05-04 16:15


Nicaragua presents case against Germany at ICJ over Gaza war
Nicaragua presents case against Germany at ICJ over Gaza war

Nicaragua's legal representative, Daniel Muller, presented Nicaragua's case against Germany at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

“My task this morning is to set out some of the facts underlying the dispute between Nicaragua and the Federal Republic [of Germany] brought before the court,” Muller said in his address.

Muller emphasized Germany's continued support for Israeli Occupation with aid and weapons despite previous ICJ rulings. He referred specifically to a past ICJ ruling in response to South Africa's genocide case against Israeli Occupation, which ordered the occupation to prevent genocide and provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Despite this, Germany's assistance to Israeli Occupation has continued.

Nicaragua has petitioned the ICJ to issue provisional measures calling on Germany to immediately cease its military aid to Israeli Occupation and resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Muller argued that Germany's actions constitute a breach of international law and its obligations concerning the situation in Gaza.

Muller pointed to a statement made by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on March 24, in which she described the situation in Gaza as "hell" and stressed the need to resume aid delivery. Despite such acknowledgments, Nicaragua asserts that Germany has not taken sufficient action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In a comprehensive 43-page submission to the court, Nicaragua argues that Germany's conduct amounts to a violation of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. The submission details Germany's alleged failure to uphold its obligations under international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilian lives and the prevention of genocide in Gaza.