THE HAGUE, Wednesday, May 29, 2024 (WAFA) - Mexico has filed a declaration of intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Tuesday, the ICJ announced in a press release.

Mexico has requested joining South Africa’s case accusing Israel of violating the UN’s 1948 Genocide Convention, following the suit of Columbia and Libya have also declared their intention to join the case. Other countries including Egypt and Turkey have said they will join.

Mexico’s made this request under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, which states that any signatory to the Genocide Convention can intervene in a case because it is an international treaty whose interpretation impacts all parties. Mexico cited this in its declaration to the court. 

“Pursuant to Article 63 of the Statute of the ICJ, whenever the construction of a convention to which States other than those concerned in the case are parties is in question, each of these States has the right to intervene in the proceedings,” the ICJ said in a statement.

According to the ICJ statement, Mexico stated that it “seeks to intervene, in order to provide its view on the potential construction of the content of the provisions of the Convention relevant to this case”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a press release welcoming Mexico’s announcement, and affirmed that Mexico's announcement expresses its unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of international law, and the deep solidarity and historical friendship between the two countries.

It extended renewed gratitude and appreciation to the Republic of Nicaragua, the Republic of Colombia, and the State of Libya for their announcements to join this important case.

The Ministry called on all countries to join the case and actively participate in the litigation before the ICJ in a push towards an end not only to the genocide, but also to the era of Israel’s impunity.

A.D./ K.F.