ICJ Proceedings: South Africa vs. Israel | 25 Jan 2024

Human rights, genocide, and war crimes are interconnected concepts within the broader framework of international law, specifically focusing on protecting individuals and groups during times of conflict or crisis. Human rights serve as the foundation for the prevention of genocide and war crimes. These rights are enshrined in various international treaties and declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

South Africa instituted proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In its application, the former argued that the manner in which Israel was conducting its military operations in Gaza violated the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide i.e.,Genocide Convention.

What is Genocide Convention?

• About:
  • The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is an instrument of international law that codified for the first time the crime of genocide.
    • It was the first human rights treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1948.
  • It signified the international community’s commitment to ‘never again’ after the atrocities committed during the Second World War.
  • Its adoption marked a crucial step towards the development of international human rights and international criminal law as we know it today.
• Features:
  • According to the Genocide Convention, genocide is a crime that can take place both in time of war as well as in time of peace.
    • This definition of the crime of genocide has been widely adopted at both national and international levels, including in the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  • Importantly, the Convention establishes on State Parties the obligation to take measures to prevent and to punish the crime of genocide, including by enacting relevant legislation and punishing perpetrators, “whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals” (Article IV).
    • This obligation, in addition to the prohibition of committing genocide, have been considered as norms of international customary law and therefore, binding on all States, whether or not they have ratified the Genocide Convention.
  • India has ratified this convention.

What is the 'South Africa vs Israel Case’ at ICJ?

• S Africa’s Allegations:
  • The killing of Palestinians in Gaza in large numbers, especially children; destruction of their homes; their expulsion and displacement by Israeli forces.
  • It also Includes blockade on food, water and medical assistance to the strip; the imposition of measures preventing Palestinian births by destroying essential health services crucial for the survival of pregnant women and babies.
• S Africa’s Immediate Demands:
  • South Africa is requesting that the ICJ move urgently to prevent Israel from committing further crimes in the strip using “provisional measures” – essentially an emergency order that can be applied even before the main case begins.
  • It argues that provisional measures are necessary “to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention, which continue to be violated with impunity”.
• Israel’s Stand:
  • Israel, which has lambasted S Africa for bringing the case, has promised to defend itself at the court. Israeli officials have called the case “preposterous” and say it constitutes a “blood libel”.
  • Israel argues that the killing of more than 23,000 people in Gaza is in self-defence and will present proudly our case of using self-defence under our most inherent right under international humanitarian law.
• Stand of International Community:
  • Several countries and organisations have backed South Africa’s suit. Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan, Bolivia, the Maldives, Namibia, Pakistan, Columbia, and members of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) are among them.
  • The European Union has been silent, but Israel has seen support from its number one backer and weapons supplier, the US which states - “allegations that Israel is committing genocide are unfounded, but Israel must prevent civilian harm and investigate allegations of humanitarian crimes.”
    • The UK, and France oppose the case, with France even hinting at non-compliance if genocide findings are issued against Israel.

What are the Different Concerns in the ‘S Africa vs Israel Case’?

• ICJ as One Forum:
  • Questions arise about the one-sided focus on Israel, but non-state actors like Hamas can't be brought to the ICJ.
  • ICC deals with individuals, and the situation has been referred for investigation.
• Global Split:
  • The divide among nations, tracking colonial and non-colonial histories, adds complexity where Bangladesh and Jordan support South Africa, while Germany backs Israel.
    • Germany's stance, previously supporting a broad reading of the Genocide Convention, raises questions about its current position in the South Africa vs. Israel case.
  • The split reflects historical power dynamics in the formation of international law.
    • The proceedings are seen as challenging the legitimacy of international law itself. France's belligerent statements contribute to this perception.

What are the Laws and Regulations in India for Genocide?

• International Conventions:
  • India does not have any domestic law on genocide, even though it has ratified the UN Convention on Genocide.
  • India is a signatory to the UDHR and has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
• Indian Penal Code (IPC):
  • The Indian Penal Code (IPC) provides for the punishment of genocide and related crimes, and sets out the procedures for investigation, prosecution, and punishment.
  • Genocide has been defined as a crime under IPC Section 153B, which criminalizes acts that promote enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. with the intent to cause riots or commit acts of violence.
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • The Indian Constitution via Article 15 provides protection against discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth;
  • Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty etc.
• Statutory Provisions:
  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
    • The act also provides for the establishment of State Human Rights Commissions.

What are the Ways to Prevent Genocides and War Crimes?

Genocide is not something that happens overnight or without warning. Genocide requires organisation and constitutes in fact a deliberate strategy and one that has been mostly carried out by governments or groups controlling the state apparatus. In 2004, on the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, erstwhile UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan outlined a five-point action plan for preventing genocide:

• Prevent Armed Conflict:
  • As genocide is most likely to occur during war, one of the best ways to reduce the chances of genocide is to address the root causes of violence and conflict: hatred, intolerance, racism, discrimination, tyranny, and the dehumanizing public discourse that denies whole groups of people their dignity and their rights.
  • Addressing inequalities in access to resources constitutes a critical prevention strategy.
• Protect Civilians:
  • When efforts to prevent conflict fail, one of the highest priorities must be to protect civilians. Wherever civilians are deliberately targeted because they belong to a particular community, there is a risk of genocide.
  • Over the last decade, the UN Security Council has frequently expanded the mandate of UN peacekeepers so that they can physically protect civilians who are threatened with violence.
• End Impunity through Judicial Action:
  • To deter people from committing crimes of genocide, those responsible for such crimes need to be brought to justice.
  • Fighting impunity and establishing a credible expectation that the perpetrators of genocide and related crimes will be held accountable can effectively contribute to a culture of prevention.
• Appointing Special Advisers:
  • The tragedies of Rwanda and the Balkans in the 1990s demonstrated, in the worst possible way, that the UN had to do more to prevent genocide.
  • With this in mind, the Secretary General, in 2004, appointed Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
    • The Special Advisers collect information on situations where there may be a risk of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
• Swift Actions, including via Military Force:
  • When, where, and how to intervene militarily in domestic situations to prevent or respond to genocide or other mass atrocity crimes is to be decided by the Security Council, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
  • In 2005, at the United Nations World Summit, all countries formally agreed that, if peaceful methods are inadequate and if national authorities are “manifestly failing” to protect their populations from the mass atrocity crimes, then:
    • States should act collectively in a “timely and decisive manner,” through the UNSC and in accordance with the Charter of the UN.

Conclusion

• The legal proceedings initiated by South Africa against Israel in the ICJ have sparked intense global debate. The case revolves around allegations of genocide in Israel's military operations in Gaza, presenting a complex legal context. The outcome holds significance not only for mitigating the crisis in Gaza but also as a crucial test for the "rules-based international order." The ICJ's decisions in the coming months will play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions of the international legal framework.