Belgium will provide its interpretation of genocide to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), affirming support for South Africa’s appeal for the genocide convention’s application to the situation in Gaza.
This was confirmed by the Office of Foreign Minister, Hadja Lahbib, following press reports in Le Soir and De Standaard.
On 7 February, the ICJ sent a letter to the states that are party to the 1948 Convention – including Belgium.
This was to inform them that the convention’s interpretation may be relevant in this case, explained Lahbib in a statement.
Belgium wishes to participate and share its interpretation of Article 2 of the 1948 Convention, which defines the concept of genocide.
According to the Belgian diplomat, the goal is not to take sides but to affirm the universality of international conventions to which states are party.
In line with this understanding, Lahbib regards intervention as necessary in another pending case before the ICJ, involving Gambia and Myanmar regarding accusations of genocide against the Rohingya people.
This aligns with previous interventions in the case between Ukraine and Russia concerning the interpretation of the same convention, added the minister.
