Gobierno de Reconciliación y Unidad Nacional
Unida Nicaragua Triunfa
PRESS RELEASE
The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity informs the people of Nicaragua and the international community that today it filed an Application before the International Court of Justice against the Federal Republic of Germany concerning violations to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its Additional Protocols, intransgressible principles of international humanitarian law and other peremptory norms of general international law in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly the Gaza Strip.
To date, out of a population of approximately 2.3 million people, at least 29,782 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 70, 043 have been injured, which adds up to more than one hundred thousand people that have been killed, injured, or are missing in Gaza alone, while 1.7 million people have been forcibly displaced. The majority are currently situated in Rafah governorate which has become the largest refugee camp in the world.
With all the public news reports and videos of the atrocities available as they occurred, along with the declarations of international officials and with the Order of the Court of 26 January 2024; Germany cannot deny knowledge of the serious illegality of the conduct of Israel, nor can it deny that its knowledge triggered obligations for Germany under international law to prevent genocide, to not aid and assist or be complicit in genocide, and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and other peremptory norms of international law, such as not rendering aid or assistance and to prevent the illegal regime of apartheid and the negation of the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people.
Germany has provided political, financial, and military support to Israel with the knowledge at the time of authorization that the military equipment would be used in the commission of serious breaches of international law. The German Government has also cut off assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is the primary agency in charge of delivering aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the United Nations has confirmed that it cannot be replaced by any other agency at this time. Germany is perfectly aware of the deathly impact that its decision to cut funding to UNRWA means in practical terms, which amounts to the collective punishment of millions of Palestinians, in particular Gazans as they will be condemned to famine, starvation and disease if UNRWA halts its operations.
In light of this situation, on 2 February 2024 Nicaragua sent a note verbal to Germany urging its government to immediately halt the supply of arms, ammunitions, technology and/or components to Israel and reminding it of its obligations under international law. Nicaragua also called on Germany’s decision to suspend funds to UNRWA. Unfortunately, the provision of military weapons and other assistance capable of being used in the unlawful acts taking place has not stopped or diminished. It has in fact increased and is now coupled with the looming prospect of UNRWA soon halting its operations for lack of funds.
Germany continues to disregard its obligations, and to actively facilitate violations of the rules of international law by Israel to the severe and immediate prejudice of the Palestinian people, particularly Gazans, and the international community.
Nicaragua is adopting this decision in accordance with its obligations under international law to guarantee respect for these fundamental international texts and customary international law.
The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity reaffirms its firm commitment to the Rule of Law at the International Level and the peaceful settlement of disputes between States.
Managua, 1 March 2024