Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) - The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg files a declaration of interventi

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
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Press Release
Unofficial
No. 2022/51
13 October 2022
Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation)
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg files a declaration of intervention
in the proceedings under Article 63 of the Statute
THE HAGUE, 13 October 2022. Today, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, invoking
Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court a declaration of intervention
in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation).
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 these States has the
right to intervene in the proceedings. In this case, the construction given by the judgment of the Court
will be equally binding upon them.
To avail itself of the right of intervention conferred by Article 63 of the Statute, Luxembourg
relies on its status as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide.
In its declaration, Luxembourg notes that “the Genocide Convention is of the utmost
importance in preventing genocide and holding its perpetrators accountable for their acts”. Asserting
that “[t]he rights and obligations enshrined in the Convention are owed to the international
community as a whole”, Luxembourg “considers that intervention in the present case enables States
parties to the Genocide Convention to reaffirm their collective commitment to upholding [these]
rights and obligations . . ., in particular by supporting the essential role of the Court”. Luxembourg
is therefore of the view that it has “a direct interest in the proper interpretation, application and
fulfilment of the obligations contained in the Genocide Convention”.
In accordance with Article 83 of the Rules of Court, Ukraine and the Russian Federation have
been invited to furnish written observations on Luxembourg’s declaration of intervention.
Luxembourg’s declaration of intervention will be available on the Court’s website shortly.
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History of the proceedings
The history of the proceedings can be found in press releases Nos. 2022/4, 2022/6, 2022/7,
2022/11, 2022/25, 2022/26, 2022/27, 2022/28, 2022/29, 2022/31, 2022/33, 2022/34, 2022/35,
2022/36, 2022/37, 2022/38, 2022/39, 2022/41, 2022/42, 2022/43, 2022/45, 2022/46, 2022/48 and
2022/50, 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,
through judgments which have binding force and are without appeal for the parties concerned, 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:
Mr. Andrey Poskakukhin, First Secretary of the Court, Head of Department (+31 (0)70 302 2336)
Ms Joanne Moore, Information Officer (+31 (0)70 302 2337)
Mr. Avo Sevag Garabet, Associate Information Officer (+31 (0)70 302 2394)
Ms Genoveva Madurga, Administrative Assistant (+31 (0)70 302 2396)