Lebanon takes major step towards accepting ICC jurisdiction – JURIST

The Lebanese Council of Ministers took steps on Friday to accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in their territory by instructing their Foreign Ministry to submit a declaration to the ICC, allowing the court to investigate crimes committed since October 7 Lebanese territory, can investigate and prosecute. 2023.

Although Lebanon is still not a ratifying member of the Rome Statute of the ICC, the filing of the declaration grants the court the authority to investigate serious crimes committed in Lebanon over the past six months. Since October 7, Lebanon has accused Israel of repeated violations of both its sovereignty and international law following clashes between the armed group Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

These ongoing clashes have seen the exchange of missiles across the border, killing around 70 civilians, including Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. A report from the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research concluded in March that his death was the result of an Israeli tank attack. The Lebanese Council of Ministers’ decision also includes instructions to include the report in its complaints to the UN about Israel.

Human Rights Watch has documented the alleged attacks on journalists and civilians in Lebanon and welcomed the Council of Ministers’ decision. Lama Fakih, Director of the Middle East and North Africa, said:

The Lebanese government has taken a landmark step toward securing justice for war crimes in the country. The Secretary of State should quickly submit a statement accepting the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court and create a path for victims of war crimes, including those committed by Israeli forces, to obtain justice. This is an important reminder to those who flout their obligations under the laws of war that they could find themselves in the dock.