THE HAGUE, January 31, 2025 (WAFA) – Nine countries Friday announced the formation of the Hague Group in support of Palestine to ensure compliance with international law.

The nine nations that made the announcement are South Africa, Malaysia, Namibia, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Senegal, Honduras and Belize.

“The Hague Group is born of necessity,” said Co-General Coordinator of Progressive International, Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, in a joint statement.

“In a world where powerful nations act with impunity, we must stand together to defend the principles of justice, equality, and human rights,” she said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said: “Israel’s violations go beyond the mass murder and persecution of Palestinians. They strike at the very foundations of international law, which the global community has a duty to defend.”

Meanwhile, Palestine’s Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry welcomed the formation of the Group along with its joint statement, which was adopted in consultation with Palestine.

It hailed the Hague Group’s joint statement as an important development in the collective action of global states and leaders to defend and strengthen international law and institutions at a time when such law and institutions face grave threats.

Highlighting the Group’s goal to hold Israel accountable for its crimes in Gaza, the Ministry stated that accountability is the cornerstone of justice, and hailed the Group’s commitment to the realization of accountability and justice in Palestine as one that is motivated by the member states’ firm commitment to the fundamental values of international law, including the rejection o exceptionalism and impunity as characteristics of global chaos and instability.

The Ministry affirmed Palestine’s commitment to these principles and called on all states sharing this commitment to join the coalition.

K.F.