The Hague Group
The Hague Group is a group of nations from the global south formed on 31 January 2025 to protect and uphold the rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).[1] The group's nine founding members are Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa.[2][3] The founding members have invited several other countries to join, including Spain.[4] The Hague Group is chaired by Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, Co-General Coordinator of the Progressive International, who said: "The Hague Group is born of necessity. In a world where powerful nations act with impunity, we must stand together to defend the principles of justice, equality and human rights."[5][6][4]
South Africa's international relations minister, Ronald Lamola, said: "The Hague Group's formation sends a clear message: no nation is above the law, and no crime will go unanswered".[1] According to its inaugural statement, the group upholds national obligations to "end the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and support the realisation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian People to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine".[2][7] The legal rulings supported by the group include all United Nations resolutions and International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, arguing that Israel's actions constitute genocide and violations of international law. They emphasize the legal duty of all states to prevent such crimes.[2][8]
According to their joint statement, these countries announced their intention to support the International Criminal Court regarding the arrest warrants it issued against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant against the backdrop of the war of extermination in Gaza. They agreed to prevent the provision or transfer of weapons, ammunition and related equipment to Israel in all cases where there is a clear risk that these weapons will be used to commit or facilitate violations of International humanitarian law or Genocide. The nine countries announced that they would prevent ships used to transport weapons or military fuel to Israel from docking at any of their ports.[3][8] At the launch of The Hague Group, Chair Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla said, "By coordinating commitments across our ports, across our factories, across our courts, the Hague Group aims to build a bulwark to defend international law." [2][7] Supporters present at the launch event included members of independent UN commissions, human rights lawyers, and parliamentarians from several countries including Yanis Varoufakis and Jeremy Corbyn.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Wintour, Patrick (31 January 2025). "South Africa and Malaysia to launch campaign to protect international justice". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Inaugural joint statement". The Hague Group. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ a b Bir, Burak (1 February 2025). "9 countries form Hague Group in support of Palestine". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ a b c Rodríguez, Olga (31 January 2025). "Nueve países impulsan un grupo en la Haya para coordinar medidas por crímenes de Israel" [Nine countries launch group in The Hague to coordinate actions against Israel's crimes]. El Diario. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Tape, Nurah (1 February 2025). "The Hague Group, a New Alliance to Enforce International Law against Israel". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Hague Group formed to defend Palestinian rights". Morning Star. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b DiEM25 Communications (31 January 2025). "DiEM25 stands with The Hague Group: The Global South leads as Europe fails on Palestine". DiEM25. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ a b Progressive International (31 January 2025). LIVE FROM THE HAGUE: States Coordinate Measures Against Israel’s Violations of International Law. Retrieved 1 February 2025 – via YouTube.