South Africa condemns genocide, war crimes at Hague group emergency conference

 

South Africa’s Director-General for International Relations and Cooperation, Zane Dangor, addressed The Hague Group’s emergency ministerial conference in Bogotá, where he delivered an uncompromising message: crimes including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and apartheid “are not complex—they are unlawful”, News24 reports.

According to Reuters, Dangor spoke as part of a ministerial assembly organized by Colombia and South Africa to “halt the genocide in Gaza”, urging global action to enforce rulings from the International Court of Justice and uphold the integrity of international law, criticising Israel’s ongoing disregard for binding provisional measures.

 

South Africa’s plea to the ICJ, launched in December 2023, files charges under the Genocide Convention, arguing Israel’s conduct constitutes an escalation of apartheid and occupation extended over decades. The request calls for urgent interim measures demanding cessation of military operations and facilitation of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Dangor’s intervention aligned with calls from UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese—who addressed the same conference—urging nations to suspend ties with Israel and pursue accountability for mass atrocity risks in Gaza.

Dangor’s statements reinforce South Africa’s legal campaign launched at the ICJ, which has garnered support from global human rights groups and over 1,400 organizations aligned with efforts to hold Israeli leadership accountable for actions in Gaza.