Rights without Remedies: The Failure of the International Court of Justice to Order a Ceasefire to stop alleged Genocide in Gaza

Research output: Other contributionNet publication - Internet publicationResearch

Abstract

Much has already been written about the historic interim ruling in South Africa v. Israel by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). All sides have claimed victory: South Africa, because their erga omnes claim under the Genocide Convention was not thrown out; Palestine, because the ICJ has recognized the devastating conditions in Gaza; Israel, because it was not ordered to cease its war effort. All sides have also noted disappointment: South Africa and Palestine because the ICJ declined to order a ceasefire; Israel, because the ICJ found that its war efforts could plausibly constitute genocide.

The one group that is especially excited by the ICJ’s order is international lawyers; many have praised the Court’s strong rhetoric and near unanimous decision. And the one group that is largely disillusioned are Gazans, who had hoped the ICJ might order immediate injunctive relief.

This post argues that those Gazans disappointed in the interim decision have it right because the ICJ’s order purports to recognize a right but declines to order a remedy. Here remedy refers to the injunctive relief South Africa requested in the form of a ceasefire. The disconnect between recognized right and absence of meaningful injunctive relief – remedy – makes the ICJ’s ruling conceptually problematic. This deprives the ruling of the rhetorical power that has been claimed for it.

Original languageEnglish
Publication date1 Feb 2024
Place of PublicationBritish Columbia
PublisherJustice in Conflict
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2024

Cite this