Kuwait demands Israeli to be put before international criminal court

Addressing a UN gathering on international terrorism, the State of Kuwait demanded the Israeli crimes against the Palestinians be put before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to hold perpetrators of violations of Human Rights and International Law accountable for their actions. The Second Secretary of the Kuwaiti Permanent Mission to the UN was addressing, Monday evening, a gathering discussing issues of international terrorism, during the 66th UN General Assembly, "KUNA" reported Tuesday. The diplomat urged both the UN and the international community to honor their responsibilities and not turn blind eye to deliberate attack on civilian populations, and went further to clearly re-iterate that Israeli attacks on the Palestinians amount to "state terrorism." Al-Ateeqi pointed out physical attacks, illegal confiscation and seizure of property, expansion in settlements, and an ongoing siege on Gaza Strip are all acts response to which falls under the jurisprudence of the ICC. Chapter VII of the UN Charter clearly states upon referral of issues of genocide and crimes against humanity to the ICC, he added. The Kuwaiti mission demanded the UN Security Council takes legal action and file suit in this regard, as it is authorized to do by the ICC. While believing peaceful means should be used to settle disputes with due heed to Human Rights, International Law, and international conventions and agreements, respect of rule of law and global peace and security is only feasible through holding violators of laws and agreements accountable for their ill deeds, the secretary said. On terrorism, the delegation''s speech made a clear distinction between this international bane and Peoples'' legitimate right to defend themselves and their homelands. Al-Ateeqi stressed terrorism is a global phenomenon that should not be associated with any given religion, nationality, community or civilization, or ethnic group. The State of Kuwait, he said, condemns all forms of terrorism, regardless of justification, and believes it a grave threat to international peace, security, and stability. As for means to counter terrorism, the diplomat said they start with putting an end to root causes and reasons it spreads easily, and mentioned the eradication of poverty, encouraging sustainable development, supporting sound governance, and bolstering religious co-existence and tolerance. He also mentioned shunning inciting of hatred on any grounds, abuse of religious symbols, and all forms of extremism and violence. The Kuwaiti diplomat also urged more action to fine-tune and finalize the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism while also stressing it is essential to include the convention a clear definition of terrorism and state terrorism which differentiates between the two and legitimate self defense, sanctioned in UN Charter.