Australian officials will take a stand in support of Ukraine at the UN’s highest court as the Balkan country challenges Russia’s claims the invasion was carried out to prevent genocide.
Days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, alleging that Russian leaders were violating international law by using false claims of genocide in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine to justify their invasion.
Russian officials continued to accuse Ukraine of committing genocide.
Officials from 32 countries are expected to speak in support of Ukraine at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
Solicitor General Stephen Donaghue will deliver Australia’s intervention on Wednesday evening (AEST) in which he will assert that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said false allegations of genocide undermine the rules-based international order and that Mr Donaghue’s intervention “demonstrates Australia’s unwavering commitment to upholding the fundamental rules of the international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the proposal was just one way Australia could hold Russia accountable for its “illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.”
“We stand with the Ukrainian people and the 31 other countries supporting Ukraine in this matter. We are stronger when we work together to address common challenges,” she said.
Senator Wong is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly where she is expected to deliver a national statement on climate, development and the country’s commitment to UN reform and conflict prevention .
Australian officials continued to call on Russia to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine, in accordance with the March 2022 order from the International Court of Justice.
Since the Russian invasion, Australia has provided Ukraine with more than $790 million in aid, including $610 million in military equipment.
