Mr. President,
My delegation thanks the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for her report providing a summary of the Court’s extensive judicial activities over the last reporting period. Seventy-six years in, its heavy workload and ever-growing docket demonstrate that the ICJ is as strong, reliable, and necessary as ever.
We assure our full support to the Court’s key role in promoting the rule of law and peaceful settlement of international disputes in order to maintain international peace and security. We also take note of the Secretary-General’s Report on his Trust Fund to assist States in the settlement of disputes through ICJ.
Before I deliver more on the report of the Court, please allow me to express our deepest condolences to the friendly people of Brazil and all members of the Court at the sad demise of Judge Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade on 29 May 2022.
Mr. President,
We underscore the importance of upholding ICJ’s standing as the principal judicial organ of the UN, and of making enhanced use of its competence to de-escalate tension and prevent conflicts among the Member States. We reaffirm the universal character of the Court’s jurisdiction.
We recall General Assembly’s call upon Member States to accept the Court’s jurisdiction in accordance with its Statute. We would also like to emphasize that cooperation from the Member States, including those related to specific proceedings, in the implementation of Court’s Judgments and Orders remain absolutely critical.
Mr. President,
In keeping with our constitutional commitment towards peaceful settlement of international disputes, we have resolved our maritime boundary disputes with the neighboring countries through international judicial means. In this regard, we continue to follow with interest the Court’s work on territorial and maritime disputes as well as conservation of natural and living resources.
We also recognize the importance of Court’s important jurisdiction to issue advisory opinions which contribute to the clarification and development of international law and thereby to the strengthening of peaceful settlement disputes.
In this regard we are pleased to align ourselves with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Vanuatu on behalf of the group of like-minded countries that are going to table a resolution in the General Assembly seeking advisory opinion to clarify the rights and obligations of states under international law as it pertains to the adverse effects of climate change.
Mr. President,
As a nation with an unequivocal commitment to peaceful settlement of disputes, including through recourse to international law, Bangladesh immensely values ICJ’s judgments and orders.
We recall in this regard the ongoing proceedings against Myanmar instituted by The Gambia under the 1948 Genocide Convention in relation to the treatment of the Rohingya in Myanmar. In its order dated 23 January 2020 indicating provisional measures, the Court recognized the Rohingya as a “protected group” within the meaning of article 2 of the Genocide Convention, and acknowledged presence of a real and imminent risk of irreparable prejudice to the rights of the Rohingya in Myanmar. We call for the compliance of this Order in letter and spirit.
More recently on 22 July 2022, the Court rejected the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar and found that it has jurisdiction, on the basis of article IX of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to entertain the Application filed by the Republic of The Gambia and that the said Application is admissible.
As an affected country that has been hosting the persecuted Rohingya for decades, we welcome the Orders of the Court and remains committed to providing full cooperation to the Court as and when required.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by reiterating the unwavering commitment of Bangladesh to the work of the International Court of Justice. We also reiterate our commitment to extend all cooperation to the Court in its functions.
I thank you Mr. President.