On the 100th day of the bombing of Gaza, we’ve written to the Maltese Foreign Affairs Ministry. Our letter urges Malta to join the ICJ case against Israel.
____________________________________________
Hon. Minister Borg,
We are reaching out to express our concern and plea for Malta’s principled involvement in the case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), regarding the genocide in Gaza.
Recent events have underscored the importance of justice, peace, and upholding international law. Malta’s commitment to addressing breaches of international treaties and coordinating resolutions within the UN Security Council reflects its role as a global advocate for these principles and fulfil its Constitutional commitment to actively pursue peace, security and social progress among all nations. As concerned organisations, we believe Malta’s support in this matter would contribute significantly to promoting a more just and peaceful world.
Demonstrating unwavering dedication, Malta spearheaded a resolution at the United Nations, emphasizing diplomatic solutions and addressing humanitarian concerns. Specifically, during the recent conflict, Malta took a robust stance by leading the call for a ‘humanitarian pause’ through good-faith negotiations. Malta expressed regret over the U.S. veto and maintained steadfast support for a two-state solution, showcasing its resolute commitment to resolving crises constructively.
The atrocities in Gaza demand our collective attention and action. The severe violations of international laws and customs, the loss of so many innocent lives, and the devastating impact on the mental health of children are deeply troubling.
Malta’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East are crucial. We therefore strongly urge you to seize the opportunity to be a trailblazer among European Union Member States by taking the lead in joining South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). A growing number of nations have expressed their resolute support for this initiative, marking a historic moment in the pursuit of international justice.
Malta has a unique opportunity to lead by example and contribute significantly to the pursuit of justice and accountability within the European Union. We urge you to stand against impunity and ensure the voices of the oppressed are heard. In this critical moment, Malta’s influence can make a significant impact on the pursuit of justice and the establishment of a framework that respects the rights and sovereignty of all parties involved.
We understand that decisions at this level involve careful consideration, yet we believe Malta’s support for the ICJ case would send a powerful message about the importance of upholding international law and seeking justice for those affected by the attacks.
We appreciate your time and consideration on this matter and look forward to receiving your feedback.
Yours sincerely,
The undersigned organisations:
- aditus foundation
- African Media Association Malta
- Association for Justice Equality and Peace
- Blue Door Education
- Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation
- Integra Foundation
- Moviment Graffitti
- Office of the Dean, Faculty of Education
- Peacelab
- PEN Malta
- Spark15
___________________________________
On. Ministru Borg,
Qegħdin niktbulek għaliex ridna nesprimu t-talba tagħna biex Malta tinvolvi ruħha bi prinċipju fil-każ miftuħ mill-Afrika t’Isfel kontra l-Iżrael fil-Qorti Internazzjonali tal-Ġustizzja (ICJ), rigward il-ġenoċidju li qiegħed iseħħ ġewwa Gaża.
Il-ġrajjiet ta’ dan l-aħħar urew b’mod ċar l-importanza tal-ġustizzja, il-paċi u r-rispett lejn il-liġi internazzjonali. L-impenn ta’ Malta biex tindirizza l-ksur ta’ trattati internazzjonali u biex tikkordina riżoluzzjonijiet fil-Kunsill tas-Sigurtà tal-Ġnus Magħquda jirrifletti r-rwol tagħha bħala pajjiż li jadvoka għal dawn il-prinċipji filwaqt li jonora l-impenn Kostituzzjonali tiegħu biex jippromwovi l-paċi, is-sigurtà u l-progress soċjali fost il-ġnus kollha. Aħna nemmnu li l-appoġġ ta’ Malta f’din il-kwistjoni jikkontribwixxi b’mod sinifikanti biex jippromwovi dinja iktar ġusta u paċifika.
B’turija ta’ dedikazzjoni kontinwa, Malta mbuttat riżoluzzjoni fi ħdan il-Ġnus Magħquda b’enfasi fuq soluzzjonijiet diplomatiċi u li jiġu ndirizzati kwistjonijiet umanitarji. Speċifikament, waqt il-kunflitt ta’ dan l-aħħar, Malta ħadet pożizzjoni soda meta mexxiet is-sejħa għal ‘pawża umanitarja’ permezz ta’ negozjati onesti u b’intenzjoni ġenwina. Malta esprimiet dispjaċir li l-Istati Uniti użat il-veto u saħqet l-appoġġ tagħha għal soluzzjoni li tinvolvi żewġ stati, fejn uriet l-impenn assolut tagħha li l-krizi tiġi solvuta b’mod kostruttiv.
L-atroċitajiet f’Gaża jeħtieġu l-attenzjoni u l-azzjoni kollettiva tagħna. Il-ksur serju tar regoli u l-liġijiet internazzjonali, it-telfa ta’ tant ħajjiet innoċenti, u l-impatt devastanti fuq is-saħħa mentali tat-tfal huma ferm inkwetanti. L-isforzi kontinwi ta’ Malta biex tippromwovi l-paċi u l-istabbiltà fil-Lvant Nofsani huma kruċjali. Għalhekk aħna qegħdin nagħmlu talba b’saħħitha biex inħeġġuk taħtaf din l-opportunità biex Malta tkun minn tal-ewwel fost l-Istati Membri tal-Unjoni Ewropea billi tingħaqad mal-Afrika t’Isfel f’dan il-każ kontra l-Iżrael fil-Qorti Internazzjonali tal-Ġustizzja (ICJ). Numru dejjem jikber ta’ nazzjonijiet ġa esprimew l-appoġġ assolut tagħhom għal din l-inizjattiva, f’mument storiku għall-kisba tal-ġustizzja internazzjonali.
Malta għandha opportunità unika biex tmexxi bl-eżempju u tagħti kontribut sinifikanti fil-ġlieda għall-ġustizzja u l-kontabbiltà fl-Unjoni Ewropea. Inħeġġuk biex tieħu pożizzjoni kontra l-impunità biex tiżgura li l-vuċijiet tal-oppressati jinstemgħu. F’dan il-mument kritiku, l-influenza ta’ Malta tista’ tagħmel impatt sinifikanti għall-kisba tal-ġustizzja u biex jiġi stabbilit qafas li jirrispetta d-drittijiet u s-sovranità tal-partijiet kollha involuti.
Nifhmu li deċiżjonijiet ta’ dan il-livell jirrikjedu riflessjoni serja, imma nemmnu li l-appoġġ ta’ Malta għall-każ tal-ICJ ikun qed jibgħat messaġġ b’saħħtu dwar l-importanza li l-liġi internazzjonali tkun rispettata u li ssir ġustizzja ma’ dawk affetwati mill-attakki.
Napprezzaw il-ħin u l-attenzjoni tiegħek fir-rigward ta’ din il-kwistjoni u nistennew risposta mingħandek.
Dejjem tiegħek,
L-organizzazzjonijiet firmatarji:
- aditus foundation
- African Media Association Malta
- Association for Justice Equality and Peace
- Blue Door Education
- Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation
- Integra Foundation
- Moviment Graffitti
- Office of the Dean, Faculty of Education
- Peacelab
- PEN Malta
- Spark15
