Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, today secured government approval for the country’s intervention in two significant cases before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Ireland will intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention, as well as in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar, both of which relate to allegations of genocide.
The filing of Ireland’s intervention will occur later this month at the ICJ in The Hague. The government’s decision underscores its ongoing commitment to the protection of civilian life and its broader interpretation of the Genocide Convention.
Speaking after today’s Cabinet meeting, Tánaiste Martin expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Gaza, noting that Israel’s military actions had resulted in widespread destruction, with 44,000 people dead and millions more displaced. Martin emphasized that Ireland views the situation as one of collective punishment against the Palestinian people, where the impacts of military actions should be considered under the broader scope of genocide.
“Ireland’s intervention will seek to encourage the ICJ to adopt a broader interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a state. We believe that a narrow interpretation of genocide perpetuates a culture of impunity, where the protection of civilians is undermined,” said Martin. He added that Ireland is firmly committed to upholding the Genocide Convention and prioritizing the protection of civilian life in its legal interventions.
The government’s decision to intervene in both South Africa’s and The Gambia’s cases signals Ireland’s consistent stance on the importance of a broader interpretation of the Genocide Convention. Ireland has long been a committed supporter of international human rights law and has played an active role in promoting accountability for atrocities worldwide.
In both cases, Ireland aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding the prevention and prosecution of genocide, advocating for interpretations that better safeguard vulnerable populations and hold states accountable for actions leading to large-scale civilian harm.