International Court Orders Russia To Cease Military Operations In Ukraine

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Netherlands, has directed that Russia must immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine. Former Supreme Court Justice Dalveer Bhandari, one of the 15 sitting judges of the UN court who participated through a video link due to Covid-19, voted against the Russian operation in Ukraine. The direction further cornered Russia amid growing sanctions from the West against Russian businesses and oligarchs.

The court said that it is “acutely aware of the extent of human tragedy taking place in Ukraine and is profoundly concerned about the use of Russian force against Ukraine”. It also emphasised the “obligation of all states to act under their obligations under international law”.

The order was passed in the top international court by a 13 against two majorities. Judges from the US, Slovakia, France, Morocco, Somalia, Uganda, Jamaica, Lebanon, Japan, Germany, Australia and India voted in favour of Russia suspending military operations in Ukraine, while those from Russia and China voted against.