Mauritius supports South African ICJ case against Israel for Genocide
12.07.2024
LALIT is pleased to share with our readers an important stand taken by the MSM Government, through the Foreign Affairs Minister Maneesh Gobin, in the National Assembly on Tuesday about Mauritius supporting the South African case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice at The Hague. This statement of diplomatic support for the case carries the weight of one more country supporting South Africa. As we all know, a scale tips, at some point, with just “one” added weight. We all need to add our bit so as to stop this genocide.
Before reproducing the Hansard (unrevised) of 9 July’s Parliamentary sitting, we in LALIT also note, with relief, that the new coalition Government in South Africa has, in fact, appointed as new Minister of Foreign Affairs Ronald Lamola, who presented the case at The Hague, when he was Justice Minister. The popular former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Naledi Pandor, who was a fiery supporter of the people of Palestine, was not re-elected in the recent South African elections. The new Minister has a high standard to keep up after Ms Pandor’s work. This new situation makes the stand by the Mauritian Government all the more important.
Remember we have reported on the Muvman Liberasyon Fam initiative, as member of Solidarite Morisyin ar Lepep Palestine, of uniting the entire Parliamentary opposition behind a common statement to call for Government to support the South African Case against Israel for genocide (See News Section of our website on 15 June.). And the PMSD, Labour Party, MMM, Nouveaux Democrates, Linion Moris and LALIT all signed up.
Following this, here is the Minister’s answer to the subsequent Parliamentary Question put by Labour MP, Osman Mohamed:
“[Hansard] Israel-Palestine Conflict – South Africa’s ICJ Case – Mauritius’ Stand
“Mr Osman Mahomed (First Member for Port Louis South & Port Louis Central) asked the Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade whether, in regard to the case filed by the Republic of South Africa at the International Court of Justice for alleged violation by the State of Israel of its obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, he will state the stand the Government of Mauritius proposes to take thereon.
“Mr Gobin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government of Mauritius is actively following at least two cases at the level of the International Court of Justice concerning the cause of Palestinian people. The first case is the case of the Advisory Opinion and the second case is the case concerning the Genocide Treaty.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the first case of the Advisory Opinion, it is to be recalled that on 22 February of this year, Mauritius participated in the oral hearings at the International Court of Justice on the request for an Advisory Opinion pursuant to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 77/247 pertaining to the question of Palestine.
“In the second case namely under the Genocide Treaty, it is to be recalled that on 29 December 2023, South Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, commonly referred to as the Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In its application, South Africa also requested the Court to indicate provisional measures in order to protect against further severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinians: people under the Genocide Convention and to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide and to prevent and to punish genocide.
“In that case, Mr Speaker, Sir, public hearings on South Africa’s request for provisional measures were held on 11 and 12 January 2024. The ICG delivered two orders on provisional measures, Mr Speaker, Sir, the first one on 26 January 2024 and the second one on 24 May 2024.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in line with its principled stands for the upholding of international law, Government of Mauritius supports all initiatives with the aim of upholding the respect for international law including on the question of Palestine.
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir.
“Mr Osman Mahomed: Thank you. Since the hon. Minister has mentioned about support, can I ask him whether Government will support and sign a petition that was coordinated by Mrs R. L. [Rajni Lallah] of Movement Liberation Femme, dated 12 of June 2024 and submitted to the hon. Prime Minister through his Office seeking support across the political spectrum to support the South African ICG case just like leaders of all the political parties in Mauritius have: Mauritius Labour Party, MMM, PMSD, L’union Maurice and LALIT and even Nouveaux Démocrates?
“Mr Gobin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I will need a specific question because I have not seen that petition. I understand from the question that it was addressed to the hon. Prime Minister; I can surely look into that. The House and the population at large will appreciate the stand taken by Mauritius as a country which has been consistent over the years. It has not evolved with this Government or that Government. The State of Mauritius has consistently supported the Palestinian people in all forums, if I have to name all the resolutions and in different forums whether in Geneva or New York, I will have to take hours of the House but there has been a consistency.
“In fact, let me recall also that formal diplomatic relations were established between Mauritius and the State of Palestine ever since 1988, Mr Speaker, Sir, and we have been consistently supporting the Palestinian cause.”
So far, the countries supporting the case are adding up. Some have actually joined the case formally. Others, like Mauritius, have supported the case by stating so in public.
Those that have already actually joined the case include countries as varied as Spain, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, Turkey, Libya, Palestine itself, Belgium, Egypt, Maldives, Namibia, Ireland, Chile.
Mauritius, as readers may know, has actually joined the Palestinian Authority case for an Advisory Opinion at the ICJ on the illegality or not of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and the lawyers for Mauritius presented a finely argued case at The Hague earlier this year. (see our web-site for articles in February).
It becomes increasingly urgent to stop the genocide. Israel needs to be totally isolated, including suspension or expulsion from the UN, an arms embargo, and the imposition of a UN no-fly zone over Palestine. We are already late: people begin to die from Israel intentionally starving them to death and provoking epidemics, while driving a whole people from one area to another again and again, even while bombing them from above and firing shells from tanks and ships, and employing snipers to take out hospital and ambulance workers as well as aid workers. It is truly abominable. So, the MSM Government’s stand in supporting the South African case publicly is important.
