Orinoco Tribune: Nicaragua Formally Applies to Join ICJ Genocide Case Against ‘Israel’ The government of Nicaragua has filed a formal application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to join South Africa in its genocide case against “Israel.” The ICJ announced in a press release on Thursday, February 8, that Nicaragua referred to Article 62 of the Statute of the Court to file in the Registry of the Court an application for permission to “intervene as a party in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).” In its filing, Nicaragua stated that it considers the conduct of Israel is in “violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention” as it carries on its genocidal attack against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In addition, Nicaragua asked the ICJ to declare that Israel “must perform the obligations of reparation in the interest of Palestinian victims, including but not limited to allowing the safe and dignified return of forcibly displaced and/or abducted Palestinians to their homes, respect for their full human rights and protection against further discrimination, persecution, and other related acts, and provide for the reconstruction of what it has destroyed in Gaza,” and “offer assurances and guarantees of non-repetition of violations of the Genocide Convention.”
World Beyond War Thanks Nicaragua for Standing Against Genocide on behalf of all the caring people of the world, we want to thank the government of Nicaragua for being the first to formally request to intervene at the International Court of Justice in the case brought by South Africa, and in support of holding the government of Israel to account for its violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza. Since South Africa filed its case, and since the court ruled that Israel needed to cease its genocidal actions while the case proceeds, the government of Israel has only escalated its crimes, while openly defying the court — even while relying on weapons, legal immunity, and propaganda support from the U.S. and other Western governments frequently claiming to support a so-called rules-based order.
We citizens of the world who support the actual rule of law appreciate the risks you take in supporting it. All governments commit crimes, making them reluctant to support the prosecution of governmental crimes. All governments are subject to pressure from the U.S. government and its allies, making them reluctant to support this prosecution. But many know what is right. And many may act now that you have gone first. Thank you. We will remember.
RootsAction.org: Time to End the Monroe Doctrine Form to send an email to your Congressperson. U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez has introduced a resolution, along with Congressmembers Casar, Ramirez, Garcia, and Ocasio-Cortez. H. RES. 943 calls for the annulment of the Monroe Doctrine and the development of a “New Good Neighbor” policy in order to foster improved relations and deeper, more effective cooperation between the United States and our Latin American and Caribbean neighbors.
John Perry: The “Human Rights Industry” and Nicaragua The Human Rights Industry by Alfred de Zayas, brings together the insights of de Zayas and other experts into the ways in which “human rights” have been distorted to serve the interests of Western governments, principally those of the US. Plus, it is written by someone who brings 50 years of experience in the human rights field.
The base of the “human rights industry” consists of small, local organizations which may in some cases do excellent work. However, he qualifies this: “There are few fields that are as penetrated and corrupted by intelligence services as the human rights NGOs.” De Zayas estimates perhaps 30% are so penetrated. NED’s website shows that, between 2016 and 2020, it spent almost $1.2 million in funding “human rights” bodies in Nicaragua, in addition to funding many other activities. In 2018, Nicaragua had three main “human rights” NGOs, known for their initials in Spanish as the CPDH, ANPDH and CENIDH, as well as several smaller organizations, most receiving foreign funding. Both CPDH and ANPDH were financed by the NED. CPDH also received more than $7 million from an offshoot of the Organization of American States (OAS). CENIDH is not known to have received NED funding but in the build-up to the coup attempt was awarded a staggering $23 million by various European institutions, some with government connections.
These human rights groups often spread the propaganda that the Nicaraguan police in 2018 were the ones doing the killing. According to ANPDH, the figure reached 561. De Zayas concludes that “foreign-funded NGOs built up a completely distorted picture…in which all violence was blamed on the government.” All three “human rights” bodies were closed down for their blatant propaganda activities by the government after 2018. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (associated with the OAS), and UN Human Rights agencies have also been weaponized to attack Nicaragua. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are closely tied to the US government. The Open Society Foundation has just contracted a prominent opponent of the Sandinista government to administer a $25 million fund to promote women’s political leadership. Washington’s regime-change plans failed in 2018, but it has not given up.
Events & Actions:
Sunday, February 25, 3pm ET: Preliminary title “The Evolution of Education in Nicaragua” Spanish & English Interpretation provided. Confirmed speaker: Juan Salvador Mendez, member of the Directors’ Council of the Ministry of Education. Invited speakers (awaiting confirmation) from National Technological Institute (INATEC) and the National Council of Universities
Sunday, March 24, 3pm ET: Preliminary title “Power and Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua“This will be a report-back from January delegation members who explored this topic in depth.
End all Unilateral Measures in the Americas: Endorse the Americas without Sanctions Campaign More information and send a letter to your Congressperson here: https://linktr.ee/americas_without_sanctions
Protest at Republican National Convention, July 15-18, Milwaukee
Protest at Democratic National Coalition August 19-22, Chicago
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Upcoming Delegations to Nicaragua Casa Ben Linder 2024 delegations:
June 8-16: Global Health Intensive
July 9-21: Solidarity in Action: Celebrating 45 Years of Revolution in Nicaragua
November 8-17: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
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Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition: nicasolidarity.net
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