ICJ: Thirty Nations Intervene in Ukraine's Genocide Case Against Russia

The Principality of Liechtenstein, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, is the latest country to file a declaration of intervention in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation).

Pursuant to Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, whenever the construction of a convention to which States other than those concerned in the case are parties is in question, each of these States has the right to intervene in the proceedings. In this case, the construction given by the judgment of the ICJ will be equally binding upon them.

To avail itself of the right of intervention conferred by Article 63 of the Statute, Liechtenstein relies on its status as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Liechtenstein states in its declaration that it “considers that the proper interpretation of the provisions of the Genocide Convention is necessary in order to ensure strict compliance with the Convention, which is an imperative for protecting human rights law, ensuring the respect for international law and upholding the rule of law at the international level, both core tasks of the United Nations and foreign policy priorities for the Government of Liechtenstein.”

If we're counting correctly, this latest intervention brings to 30 the number of countries that have intervened in the Genocide case against Russia:

1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Bulgaria
5. Canada
6. Croatia
7. Cyprus
8. Denmark
9. Estonia
10. Finland
11. France
12. Greece
13. Ireland
14. Italy
15. Latvia
16. Liechtenstein
17. Lithuania
18. Luxembourg
19. Malta
20. New Zealand
21. Norway
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Romania
25. Slovakia
26. Slovenia
27. Spain
28. Sweden
29. United Kingdom
30. United States of America

The history of the proceedings in Ukraine v. Russian Federation can be found in press releases Nos. 2022/4, 2022/6, 2022/7, 2022/11, 2022/25, 2022/26, 2022/27, 2022/28, 2022/29, 2022/31, 2022/33, 2022/34, 2022/35, 2022/36, 2022/37, 2022/38, 2022/39, 2022/41, 2022/42, 2022/43, 2022/45, 2022/46, 2022/48, 2022/50, 2022/51, 2022/52, 2022/54, 2022/60, 2022/64, 2022/66, 2022/67, 2022/69, 2022/70, 2022/71, 2022/72 and 2022/74, available on the ICJ’s website.

(mew)