Belize files a document containing an application for permission to intervene and a declaration of intervention in the proceedings

 

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE 
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Press Release 
Unofficial

No. 2025/6 

31 January 2025

Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime
of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)

Belize files a document containing an application for permission to intervene 
and a declaration of intervention in the proceedings

THE HAGUE, 31 January 2025. On 30 January 2025, Belize, referring to Articles 62 and 63
of the Statute, filed in the Registry of the Court a document containing an application for permission
to intervene and a declaration of intervention in the case concerning Application of the Convention
on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v.
Israel). 

Pursuant to Article 62 of the Statute, whenever a State not party to a case considers that it has 
an interest of a legal nature which may be affected by the decision in the case, it may submit a request
to the Court to be permitted to intervene. 

In its application for permission to intervene under Article 62, Belize considers that it has a 
legal interest in Israel’s compliance with its obligations in respect of Gaza under the Convention on
the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 9 December 1948 (the “Genocide
Convention”), which may be affected by the decision in the case. Belize asserts that the “precise
object” of its intervention is to protect its “interest in ensuring that Israel is held accountable for its
violations of the Genocide Convention; its interest in ensuring that the authors of genocide do not
enjoy impunity; and its interest in the prevention, suppression and punishment of genocide”. 

Pursuant to Article 63 of the Statute, whenever the construction of a convention to which 
States other than those concerned in the case are parties is in question, each of those States has the
right to intervene in the proceedings. If they do so, the construction given by the judgment of the
Court will be equally binding upon them. 

In availing itself of the right of intervention conferred by Article 63, Belize relies on its status 
as a party to the Genocide Convention. Belize considers that the construction of Articles I, II, III, IV,
V, VI and IX of the Convention is in question in these proceedings, and offers its interpretation of
Articles I, II, III, VI and IX of the Convention. 

In accordance with Article 83 of the Rules of Court, South Africa and Israel have been invited 
to furnish written observations on Belize’s application for permission to intervene and declaration of 
intervention. 
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The full texts of Belize’s application for permission to intervene and declaration of
intervention are available on the Court’s website.

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History of the proceedings 
On 29 December 2023, South Africa filed an Application instituting proceedings against Israel
concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation
to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 
Provisional measures 
The Application also contained a request for the indication of provisional measures, pursuant
to Article 41 of the Statute of the Court and Articles 73, 74 and 75 of the Rules of Court.
The Applicant requested the Court to indicate provisional measures in order to “protect against
further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide 
Convention” and “to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention
not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide”. On 26 January 2024, the Court
delivered its Order on South Africa’s request. 
On 6 March 2024, South Africa submitted a request for the indication of additional provisional
measures and/or the modification of the Court’s Order of 26 January 2024. On 28 March 2024, the
Court indicated additional provisional measures. 
On 10 May 2024, South Africa submitted a further request for the modification and the
indication of provisional measures. By an Order dated 24 May 2024, the Court reaffirmed its
previous provisional measures and indicated new provisional measures. 
Intervention proceedings 
To date, the following States have filed an application for permission to intervene under
Article 62 of the Statute or a declaration of intervention under Article 63 of the Statute: Nicaragua
(under Article 62 of the Statute, on 23 January 2024); Colombia (under Article 63 of the Statute, on
5 April 2024); Libya (under Article 63 of the Statute, on 10 May 2024); Mexico (under Article 63 of
the Statute, on 24 May 2024); Palestine (under Articles 62 and 63 of the Statute, on 31 May 2024); 
Spain (under Article 63 of the Statute, on 28 June 2024); Türkiye (under Article 63 of the Statute, on
7 August 2024); Chile (under Article 63 of the Statute, on 12 September 2024); the Maldives (under
Article 63 of the Statute, on 1 October 2024); Bolivia (under Article 63 of the Statute, on 8 October
2024); Ireland (under Article 63 of the Statute, on 6 January 2025); and Cuba (under Article 63 of
the Statute, on 13 January 2025). 
Earlier press releases relating to this case are available on the Court’s website.

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Note: The Court’s press releases are prepared by its Registry for information purposes only
and do not constitute official documents.

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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
It was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945 and began its activities in April 1946.
The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the
Security Council of the United Nations. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague
(Netherlands). The Court has a twofold role: first, to settle, in accordance with international law,
legal disputes submitted to it by States; and, second, to give advisory opinions on legal questions
referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies of the system.

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Information Department: 
Ms Monique Legerman, First Secretary of the Court, Head of Department: +31 (0)70 302 2336
Ms Joanne Moore, Information Officer: +31 (0)70 302 2337
Ms Anna Bonini, Associate Information Officer: +31 (0)70 302 2419  
Email: [email protected]