Mwatana Welcomes ICC Decisions Rejecting Israeli Appeals
Mwatana for Human Rights welcoming the decision by the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The decision rejected Israel’s appeals challenging the court’s jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine and included the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military wing leader Mohammed Deif, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between October 8, 2023, and May 2024.
On September 26, 2024, Israel submitted two requests to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The first contested the court’s jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine in general, and over Israeli nationals in particular. The second requested the Pre-Trial Chamber I to re-notify Israeli authorities of the initiation of investigations and to halt any proceedings before the Court in the relevant situation, including the consideration of the applications for warrants of arrest for the Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister, submitted on May 20, 2024. Today, the court issued its decision rejecting both requests, citing the provisions of the ICC's Rome Statute as its basis.
Radhya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, stated:
"Today, the International Criminal Court has issued yet another courageous decision despite the restrictions and threats facing the court and its judges. This decision, like others aimed at curbing impunity and holding senior officials accountable for crimes and violations, underscores the importance of accountability and justice as the sole path to strengthening international law and reaffirming humanitarian principles."
Al-Mutawakel added:
"The world today is in dire need of accountability efforts and an end to the prevailing impunity. This is not only necessary to halt the atrocities, crimes, and violations committed in many regions but also to preserve international peace and security and prevent the escalation of armed conflicts and their accompanying violations and crimes."
Mwatana for Human Rights called upon the ICC to broaden the scope of its arrest warrants to encompass additional individuals implicated in war crimes, emphasizing that such an expansion would be crucial in advancing international justice and ensuring accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law. The organization stressed that holding all perpetrators accountable, without exception, is a vital step toward securing justice for victims and preventing impunity for those responsible.
Mwatana urged the international community to support the ICC's efforts, strengthen its role in promoting accountability and international justice, and foster adherence to international law. This requires committing to the court's decisions, cooperating in their implementation, and taking concrete and immediate steps to end the policy of impunity and halt the violations and atrocities being perpetrated worldwid
