
File photo of an OIC meeting. Source: OIC
THE HAGUE: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today approved the participation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the advisory proceedings regarding Israel’s obligations tied to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international entities, and third states in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as requested by the OIC.
As stipulated in Article 66 of the Statute of the Court, the Acting President, Judge Julia Sebutinde, who also holds the position of Vice-President, has ruled that the OIC is likely capable of offering insights on the matter brought before the Court by the General Assembly.
“The OIC may therefore present a written statement on that question within the time limit fixed by the President’s Order of 23 December 2024, i.e. by 28 February 2025,” the Court stated, adding that the subsequent procedure has been reserved for further decision.
It may be recalled that on December 19, 2024, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution in which, referring to Article 65 of the Statute of the Court, it requested the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion on “the obligations of Israel, as an occupying Power and as a member of the United Nations, in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, including its agencies and bodies, other international organizations and third States, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population as well as of basic services and humanitarian and development assistance, for the benefit of the Palestinian civilian population, and in support of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination?”.
In an Order dated December 23, 2024, the President of the Court determined that the United Nations, its Member States, and the observer State of Palestine are likely to be able to provide relevant information concerning the question posed to the Court for an advisory opinion. They are allowed to do so within the time limits specified in the Order. Following Article 66, paragraph 2, of the Court’s Statute, the President has established February 28, 2025, as the deadline for the submission of written statements regarding this question.
– global bihari bureau