Ireland Seeks to Intervene in Key Genocide Cases at the ICJ

 Ireland is set to intervene in two significant genocide cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with proposals scheduled for Cabinet consideration on Wednesday.

The first case involves South Africa's action against Israel, initiated in December, over alleged violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention during the Gaza conflict. The ongoing war, which began after Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023, has claimed over 44,000 lives in Gaza.

The second case concerns The Gambia's 2019 lawsuit against Myanmar, accusing the country’s military of committing genocide against the Rohingya ethnic minority. Reports indicate that more than 10,000 Rohingya people were killed, with approximately 700,000 fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin will seek Cabinet approval for Ireland’s intervention in both cases. By filing a declaration of intervention, Ireland would not take sides but instead assist the court by providing legal arguments on the interpretation of the Genocide Convention. Ireland aims to advocate for a consistent application of the convention, prioritizing the protection of civilian life and demonstrating a strong commitment to international law and justice. These declarations are expected to be filed in the coming weeks in consultation with the Attorney General.

In South Africa's case against Israel, the ICJ has already ordered provisional measures, urging Israel to prevent genocidal acts, limit its military operations, and facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza. However, concerns were raised by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in November, suggesting Israel's failure to fully comply with these measures.

Following South Africa’s suit, several countries, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, and Turkey, have filed Declarations of Intervention. The Gambia's case against Myanmar has also seen interventions from the Maldives, as well as a joint intervention from Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.

In a separate matter, Minister Martin will seek approval for Ireland to participate as a guest country during South Africa's G20 presidency from December 2024 to November 2025. This marks the first time Ireland has been invited to join the G20, a forum for the world’s largest economies, which will provide Ireland an opportunity to influence global issues such as economic growth, climate change, and food security.

Ministers will also review a proposed Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between Ireland and the World Food Programme (WFP), extending from 2025 to 2027. This agreement, involving a €105 million contribution, represents a 40% increase in funding compared to the previous agreement and will prioritize interventions in areas including the Horn of Africa, Syria, and climate-induced hunger.