AFD International condemns the suspension of funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by several states, including Israel, the US, Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK. This decision has garnered criticism from various quarters, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, for its potential to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
the suspension of funding constitutes a violation of the Genocide Convention. Specifically, it is alleged to violate Article II (c) of the Convention, which prohibits deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction, in whole or in part, of a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. Additionally, it is claimed to contravene Article III (e), which pertains to complicity in genocide.
AFD International asserts that by cutting off funding to UNRWA, these states may be complicit in actions that endanger the lives of millions of Palestinians and contribute to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This potential complicity in alleged genocide against Palestinians underscores the urgency of upholding international legal principles and ensuring the protection of human rights for all affected populations. AFD International is committed to seeking legal mechanisms to address these alleged violations and uphold the principles of justice and accountability.
State responsibility in genocide, particularly through providing cover and support to genocidal acts, is a grave violation of international law. Under international legal frameworks, states have a duty to prevent genocide and are held accountable for their actions or omissions that contribute to or enable genocidal acts.
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. States parties to the Convention are obligated to prevent and punish genocide, as well as to take measures to ensure that individuals within their jurisdiction do not engage in genocidal acts.
State responsibility in genocide can manifest in various forms, including providing diplomatic, financial, or military support to perpetrators of genocide, offering safe haven to individuals accused of genocide, or failing to take action to prevent or stop genocidal acts within their territory or under their control.
Under international law, states have a duty of due diligence to prevent genocide and are responsible for any actions or omissions that result in the commission of genocide. This includes not only direct involvement in genocidal acts but also complicity or acquiescence to genocide through support, encouragement, or turning a blind eye to genocidal activities.
States that fail to fulfill their obligations under the Genocide Convention may be held accountable through various mechanisms, including international criminal tribunals, the International Court of Justice, or through diplomatic and economic sanctions imposed by the international community.
In conclusion, state responsibility in genocide by providing cover and support to genocidal acts is a serious violation of international law. States have a duty to prevent and punish genocide and are accountable for their actions or omissions that enable or contribute to genocidal acts. Upholding the principles of justice, accountability, and human rights is essential in addressing and preventing genocide in all its forms.
AFD International
MENA DEPARTMENT
23/04/2024
946 2 minutes read