The Hague Group
The Hague Group is a group of nations from the global south formed on 31 January 2025 to protect and uphold the rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[1]
Creation and aims
The group, convened by Progressive International,[2] declared its creation on 31 January 2025.[3] The group was founded by nine member states: Belize, Bolivia, Chile[1][3] or Cuba,[4] Colombia, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa.[3][4] The founding members invited several other countries to join, including Spain.[5] The Hague Group is chaired by Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, Co-General Coordinator of Progressive International, who described the motivation to create the group: "The Hague Group is born of necessity. In a world where powerful nations act with impunity, we must stand together to defend the principles of justice, equality and human rights."[6][7][5]
South Africa's international relations minister, Ronald Lamola, said: "The Hague Group's formation sends a clear message: no nation is above the law, and no crime will go unanswered".[1] According to its inaugural statement, the group upholds national obligations to "end the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and support the realisation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian People to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine".[4][8]
The member states agreed to prevent the provision or transfer of weapons, ammunition and related equipment to Israel in all cases where there is a clear risk that these weapons would be used to commit or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law or genocide. The nine countries announced that they would prevent ships used to transport weapons or military fuel to Israel from docking at any of their ports.[3] At the launch of The Hague Group, Chair Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla said, "By coordinating commitments across our ports, across our factories, across our courts, the Hague Group aims to build a bulwark to defend international law." [4][8] Supporters present at the launch event included members of independent UN commissions, human rights lawyers, and parliamentarians from several countries including Yanis Varoufakis and Jeremy Corbyn.[5]
Legal rulings
The group referred to several different legal rulings in its inaugural statement, arguing that Israel's actions constitute genocide and violations of international law. The group states that it is the legal duty of all states to prevent such crimes.[4] They referred to United Nations resolutions, including the United Nations Security Council Resolution 418 of 1977 ordering an obligatory arms embargo against South Africa, for context.[4]
The group members announced their intention to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the arrest warrants it issued against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant as part of the court's investigation in Palestine for events since June 2014.[3]
The group stated that it would support the implementation of the January, March and May 2024 provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in South Africa's genocide case against Israel and the 19 July 2024 ruling in the ICJ case on Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.[9]
Membership
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2025) |
| Name | Title | Member State |
|---|---|---|
| Assad Shoman | Special Envoy of the Prime Minister on Sovereignty Matters | Belize[3] |
| Roberto Calzadilla | Ambassador to the Netherlands | Bolivia[3][1] |
| Chile[3][1][note 1] | ||
| Carolina Olarte-Bácares | Ambassador to the Netherlands | Colombia[3][1] |
| Isaura Cabañas Vera | Chargée d'affaires, Cuban Embassy, Netherlands | Cuba[4] |
| Mariam Tavassoli Zea | Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs | Honduras[3] |
| Roseli Bin Abdul | Ambassador to the Netherlands | Malaysia[3][1] |
| Yvonne Dausab | Minister of Justice | Namibia[3][1] |
| Ramatoulaye Ba Epse Faye | Ambassador to the Netherlands | Senegal[3][1] |
| Ronald Lamola | Minister of International Relations and Cooperation | South Africa[3][1][4] |
| ||
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wintour, Patrick (31 January 2025). "South Africa and Malaysia to launch campaign to protect international justice". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "Owen Jones: The Hague Group launch was historic - here's why it matters". The National. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Bir, Burak (1 February 2025). "9 countries form Hague Group in support of Palestine". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Inaugural joint statement". The Hague Group. 31 January 2025. Archived from the original on 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ a b c Rodríguez, Olga (31 January 2025). "Nueve países impulsan un grupo en la Haya para coordinar medidas por crímenes de Israel" [Nine countries launch group in The Hague to coordinate actions against Israel's crimes]. El Diario. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Tape, Nurah (1 February 2025). "The Hague Group, a New Alliance to Enforce International Law against Israel". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Hague Group formed to defend Palestinian rights". Morning Star. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b DiEM25 Communications (31 January 2025). "DiEM25 stands with The Hague Group: The Global South leads as Europe fails on Palestine". DiEM25. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ Juan Cole (1 February 2025), Global South 'Hague Group' Pledges Israel Arms Boycott and Backing for Palestinian State and Int'l Law, Wikidata Q132178130, archived from the original on 1 February 2025