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(Sputnik) It is necessary to impose an embargo on arms supplies to Israel, as they are illegal under international law and the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner stated, Friday (23). . for Human Rights (OHCHR).
In January, the ICJ ruled on interim measures in South Africa's case against Israel for alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. The court ordered Israel to take urgent measures to prevent genocide and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the enclave. At the same time, the ICJ did not order an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“The need for an arms embargo against Israel is reinforced by the International Court of Justice ruling of January 26, 2024 that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and that serious harm to the civilian population has continued since then. This requires a halt to arms exports under the current circumstances,” the experts said in a statement released by the UN office.
Even if they were sure that the weapons were not being used unlawfully, the exporting state could not carry out such transfers, they added.
CONTINUED AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS
“States should therefore refrain from transferring weapons or ammunition or parts thereof if, based on facts or patterns of behavior in the past, there is an expectation that they will be used to violate international law,” said the OHCHR experts.
According to the statement, they welcomed the suspension of these transfers by Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the Japanese company Itochu Corporation.
“State officials involved in arms exports may be held individually criminally responsible for complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. All states may initiate investigations to prosecute such crimes under the principle of universal jurisdiction and the International Criminal Court,” the experts said.
The document was signed by 40 independent UN experts.
On February 12, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell drew attention to the need to limit arms sales to Israel due to the large number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.