
A view of the empty General Assembly hall from its main aisle. The circular shape of the hall's brilliantly-lit rotunda is echoed by the United Nations seal over the podium and below it, the speakers' rostrum. Striated walls angling upward from then second story are punctuated by both an electronic vote tabulation board flanking the seal and by two tiers of glass windows enclosing television, photo and interpreters' booths.
The Hague: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on “the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third States” concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The request for an advisory opinion was transmitted to the Court by the Secretary-General of the United Nations in a letter dated December 20, 2024, which was received in the Registry on December 23, 2024.
It was on December 19, 2024, that the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/ RES/79/232 in which, referring to Article 65 of the Statute of the Court, it requested the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion.
The resolution, among other things, referred to earlier advisory opinions of the ICJ that Israel is not entitled to sovereignty over or to exercise sovereign powers in any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory on account of its occupation, sought the ICJ’s advice on: “What are 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 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?
Article 96 of the United Nations Charter gives the General Assembly and the Security Council the power to request an advisory opinion from the Court on any legal question. The General Assembly may also authorize other organs of the United Nations, specialized agencies or related organizations to ask the Court for advisory opinions on legal questions “arising within the scope of their activities”.
At present, two other United Nations organs, one subsidiary organ of the General Assembly, one related organization and 15 specialized agencies are authorized to submit such requests.
Advisory proceedings begin with the filing of a written request, which is communicated to the Court by the body authorized to do so by the United Nations Charter. The Registrar immediately informs all States entitled to appear before the Court. An Order is then adopted, inviting States and international organizations considered likely to be able to furnish information on the question to submit written statements.
– global bihari bureau