Germany rebuffs Nicaragua's accusations of violating Genocide Convention, calls them 'grossly biased'

Germany on Monday (Apr 8) rejected Nicaragua's allegations that it had violated the Genocide Convention, terming them "grossly biased".

“Germany rejects the allegations made by Nicaragua today. Germany does not and never did violate the Genocide Convention nor international humanitarian law, neither directly nor indirectly," legal advisor Tania von Uslar-Gleichen told journalists at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"On the contrary Germany’s committed to the uphold of international law and this is what we work for internationally. We will tomorrow present our position in detail to this court. So much I can already tell you today, Nicaragua’s presentation was grossly biased and we will be telling you tomorrow how we fully live up to our responsibilities," Tania added.

Berlin is set to present its case in more detail on Tuesday (Apr 9) in the court.

Germany has been one of Israel's staunchest allies since Palestinian militant group Hamas launched unprecedented attacks against Israel on Oct 7 claiming the lives of 1,200 people, as per Israeli tallies.

Nicaragua seeks to halt Germany's military arms exports to Israel

Nicaragua in its case that it presented before the International Court of Justice on Monday (Apr 8) demanded the World Court to pass an order to Germany halting the exports of military ammunition to Israel.

It also sought the restoration of funding for the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, stating concerns about Genocide in Gaza.

Nicaragua's agent ambassador Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez told the court that Berlin had violated the 1948 Genocide Convention by continuing to supply Israel with arms even after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled it was plausible that Israel violated some rights guaranteed under the genocide convention during its assault on Gaza.

"There can be no question that Germany (...)was well aware, and is well aware, of at least the serious risk of genocide being committed,"Arguello Gomez said.

He told the judges that Berlin was not abiding by the obligations under international law by continuing to provide Israel with military aid.

"This has got to stop," Arguello Gomez said.

Israel has rebuffed all the allegations stating that it has the right to defend itself.

(With inputs from agencies)