UK human rights group calls for dismissal of ICJ vice president

In a letter addressed to the ICJ judges, AOHR UK claimed that Sebutinde's recent statements to the Ugandan newspaper, the Daily Monitor, demonstrated a clear lack of impartiality.

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The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) has formally called for the removal of Ugandan Judge Julia Sebutinde, Vice President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), citing alleged breaches of the court’s statute.

In a letter addressed to the ICJ judges, AOHR UK claimed that Sebutinde’s recent statements to the Ugandan newspaper, the Daily Monitor, demonstrated a clear lack of impartiality.

According to the organisation, Sebutinde stated that her “Lord is counting on me to stand on the side of Israel”, which AOHR UK argues is a direct contravention of Articles 2 and 18 of the ICJ’s statute.

Article 2 of the statute requires judges to display impartiality and independence, while Article 18 stipulates that judges who fail to meet these requirements should be removed from office with the consent of the other judges.

AOHR UK contends that Sebutinde’s comments not only compromise her impartiality but also undermine the authority of the ICJ. The organisation criticised Sebutinde’s approach, stating that it “relied heavily on biblical narratives and stories granting Israel fictitious rights, thereby conferring false legitimacy on the horrific crimes committed against Palestinian civilians”.

Furthermore, AOHR UK argued that “such reasoning not only contradicts the foundations of international law but also emboldens the continuation of genocide, undermining the very principles upon which the Court’s authority rests”.

This call for dismissal follows Sebutinde’s notable dissent in a recent ICJ ruling. In January 2024, she was the only judge to vote against all provisional measures aimed at protecting Palestinians in Gaza.

In contrast, an Israeli judge voted in favour of two of the measures, highlighting the complexity and potential biases within the court’s decision-making process. AOHR UK’s request raises important questions about the role of judges in international law and the need for impartiality in the pursuit of justice.

The organisation’s demand for Sebutinde’s removal underscores the importance of upholding the integrity and credibility of international judicial institutions.

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