Ireland backs bid to include blocking of aid in definition of genocide
Ireland backs bid to include blocking of aid in definition of genocide The Guardian
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Ireland Seeks to Broaden Definition of Genocide in Landmark ICJ Case Against Israel
Ireland is to seek to widen the definition of genocide to include blocking humanitarian aid in a landmark international court of justice (ICJ) case against Israel.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The Irish government will intervene in the case taken by South Africa and argue that restricting food and other essentials in Gaza may constitute genocidal intent, the foreign minister Micheál Martin said on Wednesday.
“We believe there is a case, given how this war has been conducted,” Martin told the Guardian.
“We will be inviting the court to consider the issue of broadening how you determine whether genocide has taken place or not on the basis of an entire population being collectively punished.”
Impeding Humanitarian Aid and Widespread Suffering
A clear pattern of behaviour had impeded humanitarian aid, resulting in widespread suffering, he said. “Half the population of Gaza is facing famine and 100% is experiencing food insecurity.”
- Aid agencies say only about a fifth of necessary supplies are reaching Gaza as Israel continues an air and ground offensive in the enclave in the wake of Hamas’s attacks on Israel last October.
- Twelve people were reported drowned on Tuesday trying to get aid dropped by plane off a beach.
Martin said the Hamas attacks, and what is now unfolding in Gaza, were blatant violations of international humanitarian law on a mass scale.
Ireland’s Intervention and Challenging the High Threshold
In preliminary decision in January, the UN court in The Hague told Israel to prevent genocide but Martin, who is also Ireland’s tánaiste (deputy prime minister), said that since then humanitarian aid had halved, inflicting starvation. “We’ve experienced famine, we know what it’s like in our psyche.”
Earlier on Wednesday the foreign ministry announced that Ireland will intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel under article 63 of the statue of the ICJ. The announcement underlined Dublin’s image as one of the EU’s most pro-Palestinian states.
Dublin flagged the move in January when it said it was considering filing a declaration of intervention based on legal analysis of the Genocide Convention and consultation with other parties.
That process had concluded and Dublin had decided to intervene, Martin said in an interview.
It will focus on the definition of genocide and broadening the criteria upon which genocide is determined, with Ireland seeking to challenge the high threshold set by major states, he said.
Accountability and Future Conduct of War
“First of all there needs to be accountability for what has happened in Gaza, but secondly we want to influence the future conduct of war.”
Ireland is to file the intervention after South Africa has filed its memorial to the court, which could take several months. Martin said Ireland will liaise with partners, raising the possibility of other states supporting the intervention.
Challenges in Proving Genocidal Intent
Michael Becker, a Trinity College Dublin professor of international human rights law who previously worked at the ICJ, said genocide law had developed in ways that made it very difficult to prove genocidal intent, raising doubts about whether the convention was fit for purpose.
“Ireland might seek to impress on the court that genocidal intent can and should be inferred from policy decisions that knowingly produce famine,” he said.
“Ireland or other intervening states could assist the court by explaining how a consistent record of international humanitarian law violations can be relevant to establishing genocidal intent.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round | Percentage of population facing famine and experiencing food insecurity |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | 16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | Number of reported deaths and injuries resulting from conflict or violence |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Number of cases filed in international courts related to violations of international humanitarian law |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | 16.4 By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime | Amount of illicit financial flows and arms flows related to conflict areas |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
- Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Percentage of population facing famine and experiencing food insecurity (related to Target 2.1)
- Indicator: Number of reported deaths and injuries resulting from conflict or violence (related to Target 16.1)
- Indicator: Number of cases filed in international courts related to violations of international humanitarian law (related to Target 16.3)
- Indicator: Amount of illicit financial flows and arms flows related to conflict areas (related to Target 16.4)
The article highlights the issue of hunger and food insecurity in Gaza, which is connected to SDG 2: Zero Hunger. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 2.1, which aims to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all people. The indicator mentioned in the article is the percentage of the population facing famine and experiencing food insecurity.
The article also discusses the violations of international humanitarian law and the need for accountability, which is connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The specific targets under this SDG that can be identified are Target 16.1, which aims to reduce all forms of violence, and Target 16.3, which aims to promote the rule of law and equal access to justice. The indicators mentioned in the article are the number of reported deaths and injuries resulting from conflict or violence, and the number of cases filed in international courts related to violations of international humanitarian law.
Additionally, the article mentions the need to combat illicit financial and arms flows in conflict areas, which is also connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 16.4, which aims to reduce illicit financial flows and arms flows. The indicator mentioned in the article is the amount of illicit financial flows and arms flows related to conflict areas.
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Source: theguardian.com
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