Türkiye files a declaration of intervention in the proceedings under Article 63 of the Statute – 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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07 August 2024

Declaration of the intervention by the Republic of Türkiye

Today, Türkiye, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court 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 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, paragraph 2, Türkiye relies on its status as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”).

Türkiye considers that the proper construction of Articles I, II, III, IV, V and VI of the Genocide Convention is in question and is “directly relevant to the resolution of the dispute placed before the Court by South Africa’s Application”. It also reserves the right to submit a request for permission to intervene under Article 62 of the Statute.

In accordance with Article 83 of the Rules of Court, South Africa and Israel have been invited to furnish written observations on Türkiye’s declaration of intervention. The full text of Türkiye’s declaration of intervention is available on the Court’s website.