ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat at the United Nations on Friday urged the world body to expand the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), calling it integral to the international architecture and emphasizing that justice is crucial for preserving global order.
The ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the UN, settles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on international legal questions. Its relevance has grown amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with countries like South Africa taking Israel to the ICJ under the Genocide Convention for the killing of tens of thousands of unarmed Palestinians.
The court’s active role in the matter was reflected in the recommendation by its prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, solidifying the ICJ’s position in addressing pressing international issues.
“Given the proven capacity of the ICJ to play a meaningful role in the defense of international law and justice, it is essential to further strengthen the role of the ICJ in the preservation of world order,” Ambassador Munir Akram said during a UN discussion focusing on the world court.
He noted that 75 countries, including Pakistan, had accepted its compulsory jurisdiction, adding that these member states valued its ability to resolve complex international disputes.
Akram emphasized the ICJ had become amid ongoing global conflicts, particularly when the Security Council “is virtually paralyzed” by the frequent use or threat of veto power.
He called for expanding the ICJ’s compulsory jurisdiction “for all items on the Security Council’s agenda or at least those where the Charter’s principles and Security Council resolutions are being violated.”
“The ICJ is also well placed to play a larger role in ensuring accountability of Member States for the violations of international law and determining the damage and compensation due to aggrieved parties,” he added.
The Pakistani diplomat further advocated for enlarging the ICJ to handle its growing case-load and ensuring it receives adequate budgetary resources to undertake its work.