Indonesia's Retno Marsudi to Deliver Oral Statement on Palestine in ICJ This Friday

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will speak before the International Court of Justice or ICJ concerning Indonesia’s position over the Palestine issue this Friday. 

The public hearing held by the ICJ will respond the questions about the status and legal consequence of Israel’s occupation of Palestine. “The hearing is a follow-up to the UN General Assembly's advisory opinion request,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X, cited in Jakarta, Sunday.

Indonesia is one of the 53 countries and three international organizations are scheduled to deliver their oral statement before the ICJ from Feb. 19-26, 2024.

Minister Retno received input from international law experts through a discussion in Jakarta in mid-January. According to Retno, expert views and input are needed to develop a comprehensive legal opinion to show the world Israel's violations of international law.

"Indonesia supports the UN General Assembly's efforts to obtain an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. International law must be upheld," she said.

Retno emphasized that the Palestinian people's right to self-determination must be respected. "The Israeli occupation of Palestine, which has been going on for more than 70 years, will not eliminate the Palestinian people's right to independence," said Retno.

The UN General Assembly has requested an advisory opinion from the ICJ regarding the legal consequences of Israel's policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. This request was submitted on January 17, 2023.

From the start, Indonesia has decided that it would actively participate in the request for an advisory opinion, namely through a written statement it submitted in July last year and the upcoming oral statement.

Minister Retno Marsudi said that Israel’s annexation of Palestinian territories, its settlements in the West Bank, and the changing of status of the City of Jerusalem, were unlawful according to international law. She emphasized that Israel’s unlawful actions must be stopped and it must be held accountable for its actions.

 Retno also called on countries to stop supporting Israel. "Indonesia's appearance before the ICJ will complement Indonesia's various diplomatic steps to support Palestine," she said.

ANTARA

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