Belize files a document containing an application for permission to intervene and a declaration of intervention in the proceedings – Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)

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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.

The full texts of Belize’s application for permission to intervene and declaration of intervention are available on the Court’s website.