Dhaka, 14 January 2024:

Bangladesh stands in support of South Africa’s application instituting proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the violation by Israel of its obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide (Genocide Convention) in relation to Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.

Bangladesh also supports South Africa’s request for the indication provisional measures, which include requests for the suspension of all military operations in and against Gaza and allowing safe, adequate and unimpeded humanitarian aid into all areas of Gaza. The provisional measures requested are both necessary and concrete steps required to end the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded in Gaza.

In this context, Bangladesh welcomes the opportunity to file a declaration of intervention in the proceedings in due course.

The ongoing attacks by Israeli Defense Forces have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children. Bangladesh considers these deliberate acts of aggression a blatant disregard for and violation of international law, including the Genocide Convention.

As a State Party to the Genocide Convention, Bangladesh calls on all states to respect their obligations under the Genocide Convention to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.

Bangladesh reiterates its calls for an immediate ceasefire and for the rapid, safe and unhindered provision of life-saving assistance, at scale, to Gaza. Bangladesh also reiterates its previous calls for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine and for a lasting and permanent solution that sees the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State along pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.