Nicaragua accuses Germany of international law violations at ICJ

Nicaragua on Tuesday accused Germany of “multiple violations of international law” at the United Nations top court, as it pressed its case that Berlin was complicit in what it described as genocide in Gaza.

The Central American country has dragged Germany to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing Berlin of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention with its support, notably arms shipments, for Israel.

“Nicaragua invokes Germany’s responsibility in connection to multiple violations of international law, particularly in respect of the odious scourge of genocide and international humanitarian law,” ambassador Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez told the court.

Gomez said Nicaragua’s claims “involve the most serious breaches of obligations arising under … general international law”.

The court – which rules on legal disputes between countries – has already thrown out a request by Nicaragua to impose emergency measures on Germany, notably to stop arms exports to Israel.

The case continues however and Germany is now seeking to have it thrown out completely, arguing that judges do not have jurisdiction and that Nicaragua’s case does not hold water.