In ICJ, Indian judge votes for Russia to halt Ukraine invasion

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday ordered Russia to ‘immediately suspend the military operations’ in Ukraine that it commenced on February 24. Indian judge at the UN top court, Justice Dalveer Bhandari, also voted against Moscow.

Ukraine had filed a dispute on February 26 asking the UN court to intervene, arguing Moscow violated the 1948 Genocide Convention by falsely accusing Kyiv of committing genocide and using that as a pretext for the ongoing invasion.

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“The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the military operations commenced on 24 February, 2022, that have as their stated purpose and objective the prevention and punishment of a claimed genocide in the Luhansk and Donetskoblasts of Ukraine,” it said,” the court’s president, US judge Joan E. Donoghue, said. 

Countries who refuse to abide by court orders can be referred to the U.N. Security Council, where Russia holds veto power.

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The World Court, situated in Hague, further added that there was no evidence to support Russian claims that Ukraine was committing genocide in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. 

While Justice Bhandari voted against Russia, India has abstained from voting on the issue in the UN. New Delhi has called on both sides to focus on negotiations and end hostilities.

 The ICJ’s decision was confirmed by a 13-2 vote. A Russian and a Chinese judge were the two to vote against the decision.

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“The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is taking place in Ukraine. The court is profoundly concerned about the use of force by the Russian Federation in Ukraine which raises very serious issues of international law,” Donoghue said.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed it as a major victory.

“Ukraine gained a complete victory in its case against Russia at the International Court of Justice,” he wrote on Twitter. 

“The ICJ ordered to immediately stop the invasion. The order is binding under international law. Russia must comply immediately. Ignoring the order will isolate Russia even further.”

Moscow snubbed a hearing last week, when lawyers for Ukraine told the court that Russia had started an “unprovoked aggression.” “Cities under siege, civilians under fire, humanitarian catastrophe and refugees fleeing for their lives,” argued David Zionts, a member of Ukraine’s legal team.