The Hague - The African Mirror

Feb

2024

Israeli hostage families fly to The Hague to press ICC to investigate Hamas

FAMILIES of Israelis held hostage by Hamas since October 7 urged the International Criminal Court to ensure justice for their loved ones and to help bring them home. "Today is Valentine's day and Ohad, the love of my life, is still being held hostage," freed hostage Raz Ben Ami, whose husband Ohad remains captive in Gaza, said after travelling to The Hague, where the ICC is based. "My love, I hope you can hear me, I am still waiting for you," she said near the ICC's headquarters. Standing in the rain, families and activists waved Israeli flags and chanted "Bring…

Jan

2024

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

South Africa transitions from apartheid victim to global advocate in Israel case

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, EDITORS CHOICE

SOUTH Africa's unprecedented move to sue Israel for genocide at the ICJ, inspired by its own history of resistance to apartheid, is reinforcing Africa's heft in the increasingly combustible global geopolitical scene. The ICJ in The Hague will hear arguments from South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. The case, which has drawn support from several states, as well as human rights groups, is seen as a historic challenge to Israel's military actions and policies in the occupied territories. South Africa, which suffered under the brutal system of apartheid for decades, claims to have a…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

Reaction to South Africa’s UN court case against Israel’s war in Gaza

NEWS

SOUTH Africa accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to genocidal acts at the opening of hearings at the top U.N. court on a case the country brought against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Israel says the case is baseless. The following are reactions to the proceedings that began at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. PALESTINIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ISSUED IN RAMALLAH IN THE ISRAELI-OCCUPIED WEST BANK "South Africa's case before the International Court of Justice... is a historic event in the process of the joint Palestinian and South African struggle in the face of injustice and genocide. "Holding Israel, the…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s genocide case against Israel: expert sets out what to expect from the International Court of Justice

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THE International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be holding public hearings on 11-12 January at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the court, in a case brought by South Africa against Israel. South Africa has accused Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention in its military bombardment and siege of Gaza, which started after the deadly 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. Both Israel and South Africa have ratified the genocide convention. We asked human rights and international law expert Magnus Killander for his insights. MAGNUS KILLANDER, Professor, Centre for Human Rights in the Faculty of Law,…

May

2023

By STEPHANIE VAN DEN BERG and TOBY STERLING

Putin and his invasion should be on trial in The Hague, says Zelenskiy on visit

WORLD

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin must be brought to justice for his war in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in The Hague, calling for a new international tribunal for the "crime of aggression." "We're going to set up a specific tribunal... to show that these people are not untouchables," Zelenskiy told a press conference, underlining that the invasion itself should be seen as the "primary offence" committed by Moscow. Zelenskiy's declaration was made during his surprise visit to The Hague, known as the capital of international justice. But it was largely symbolic - the idea of such a court has…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Explainer: What does the ICC arrest warrant mean for Putin?

WORLD

ANTHONY DEUTSCH and STEPHANIE VAN DEN BERG VLADIMIR Putin may not see the inside of a cell in The Hague any time soon, but his war crimes arrest warrant could hurt his ability to travel freely and meet other world leaders, who may feel less inclined to speak to a wanted man. Putin is just the third head of state to be indicted by the International Criminal Court while still in power. Following is a look at what the consequences could be for the Kremlin leader. WHAT IS THE CASE? The ICC accuses Putin of responsibility for the war crime…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Gbagbo back home after decade of exile

NEWS

ANGE ABOA and LOUCOUMANE COULIBALY IVORY Coast's former president Laurent Gbagbo, ousted during a civil war in 2011 and acquitted of war crimes in The Hague, is back home from a decade in exile as thousands took to the streets to welcome him. A small number of loyalists allowed into the airport in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan cheered and screamed as the commercial flight from Brussels landed. Gbagbo, wearing a blue shirt and white face mask, got into a black SUV for the ride to his party's headquarters. Along the route, overjoyed supporters cheered and ran alongside his convoy…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Bashir ally would prefer ICC to Sudan court for Darfur trial

NEWS

ONE of the key people accused of war crimes and genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s said yesterday he would prefer to be tried in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) rather than what he said were biased Sudanese courts. Ousted President Omar al-Bashir has for years resisted the ICC warrants against him and four close allies over the conflict in Sudan's western region that killed an estimated 300,000 people and drove 2.5 million from their homes. They face charges at The Hague of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed by pro-government forces in…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga pleads not guilty at U.N. court

NEWS

A United Nations court has registered a plea of "not guilty" for Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga at his lawyer's request after he remained silent during his initial appearance. Kabuga, 85, appeared frail and did not respond to questions from judges. He was arrested in France in May after decades on the run and transferred to a United Nations detention centre in The Hague on October 26. "We have talked about this with Mr Kabuga before the hearing and he does not wish to answer in these conditions. I would appreciate it if you would consider his non-response as a…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Rwandan genocide suspect in detention in The Hague

NEWS

RWANDAN genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga is in custody in The Hague after his transfer from France following a United Nations court order. Kabuga, who was on the run for 22 years until his arrest in France in May, will soon be brought before a judge, the United Nations tribunal said in a statement. Last week a U.N. judge ordered his transfer to the Netherlands, rather than to a U.N. detention unit in Tanzania, out of health considerations amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kabuga, 84, is likely to spend at least several months in The Hague and could then still be tried…