KUALA LUMPUR – The Hague Group, which includes Malaysia and eight other participating nations, has reaffirmed its commitment to taking effective measures to end Israeli occupation of Palestine.
In The Hague Group’s inaugural joint statement issued on January 31, representatives from the governments of the nine participating nations reiterated their intention to uphold international law and ensure accountability for alleged crimes against the occupied Palestinian territory.
The group, consisting of Malaysia, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa, also assured that it would be guided by the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
Putrajaya was represented by Malaysia’s ambassador to the Netherlands Datuk Roseli Abdul.
Insisting that it refuses to remain passive in the face of international crimes, the group said it is determined to uphold its obligations to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and support the realisation of the Palestinian people’s “inalienable right” to self-determination.
The statement also cited several previously determined key legal verdicts, including the International Court of Justice’s (CIJ) December 29, 2023 orders in the case against Israel brought by South Africa, which reflect “serious concern” about the perpetration of genocide crimes in Palestine.
Reference was also made to the July 19, 2024 ICJ advisory opinion regarding the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestine territory as well as the court’s 2004 ruling on the legal ramifications of constructing a wall in the territory.
The group also highlighted the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on November 21, 2024 against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant.
The arrest warrants, the group quoted, indicate “reasonable grounds” to believe that the men each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The statement also pointed to the ICJ’s April 30, 2024 ruling in Nicaragua v Germany, which reminded all states of their obligations under international law concerning arms transfers to parties to an armed conflict.
As part of their commitments, the group pledged to prevent the provision or transfer of arms, munitions and related equipment to Israel.
This undertaking, it said, would apply in all cases where there is a clear risk that such arms and related items might be used to commit or facilitate violations of humanitarian law, international human rights law or the prohibition on genocide.
The group also committed to prevent the docking of vessels at any port within the territorial jurisdiction of participating nations, in cases where there is a clear risk of the vessel being used to carry military fuel and weaponry to Israel.
“We will take further effective measures to end Israeli occupation of the state of Palestine and remove obstacles to the realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent state of Palestine.
“We call on all nations to join us in The Hague Group in the solemn commitment to an international order based on the rule of law and international law, which, together with the principles of justice, is essential for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among states,” it added.
It also invited all states to take all possible actions and policies to end Israel’s occupation of Palestine. – February 2, 2025