NEW YORK, Saturday, February 13, 2021 – Human Rights Watch has strongly condemned remarks made by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in which he said the International Criminal Court had no jurisdiction to investigate Israeli war crimes in Palestine.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that the ICC had no jurisdiction to investigate the matter and that her country did not recognize any Palestinian state.
“It was alarming to hear Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne slam the ICC’s decision, saying that Australia ‘does not recognize a State of Palestine,’ has ‘deep concerns’ with the ruling, and that the ICC ‘should not exercise jurisdiction in this matter,” a report by Human Rights Watch researcher Sophie McNeill said in response.
The rights group argued that these comments will have serious repercussions because while other states have signaled their disagreement with the ICC ruling, no country has argued that the ICC should not exercise jurisdiction in the case.
“Australia regularly supports and defends Israel’s actions on the international stage,” McNeill wrote.
“If Australia wants to be a credible voice on human rights, it should speak out wherever abuses occur and respect the ICC’s decisions. It should be consistent in its support for justice, accountability, and the rule of law regardless of the context,” the report said.
The report concluded, “Instead of undermining the ICC, Australia should voice its support for the court, protect its independence, and stop trying to block a Palestine investigation.”
Source: WAFA
