Egypt to formally join South Africa's lawsuit against Israel in ICJ
Cairo: Egypt announced on Sunday its intention to formally join South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement citing the escalating Israeli aggression against Palestinian civilians as the reason behind its decision to join the lawsuit.
Alon Liel, Israel's former foreign minister, described Cairo's sudden move as an "unbelievable diplomatic blow to Israel."
South Africa initially filed a lawsuit in January, requesting the ICJ to declare Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and to order Israel to halt its military campaign in the region. Instead, the court issued a general order for Israel to ensure the prevention of acts of genocide.
The recent announcement from Egypt follows Israel's controversial entry into eastern areas of Rafah, bordering Egypt, where it seized control of the nearby crossing—a vital conduit for aid into the besieged Palestinian territory.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel's attacks against Palestinian civilians and highlighted the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, pushing Palestinians to flee.
In March, ICJ judges unanimously ordered Israel to ensure the timely arrival of basic food supplies and aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Egypt had previously joined the request for an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the legality of Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967.
Egypt emphasized the importance of Israel complying with its obligations as the occupying power and implementing the provisional measures issued by the ICJ to ensure access to humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
Furthermore, Egypt urged the UN Security Council and international stakeholders to take immediate action to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, halt military operations in Rafah, and provide necessary protection for Palestinian civilians.
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BCI urges CJI to take action against Andhra HC judge for sending young lawyer to 24-hour custody
New Delhi (PTI): The Bar Council of India on Wednesday sought the urgent intervention of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant following a "deeply disturbing" incident where a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court reportedly sent a young advocate to
24-hour judicial custody over a procedural lapse.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, in a formal representation, termed the conduct of Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao "grossly inappropriate" and "damaging to the confidence of the Bar".
“I most respectfully request your Lordship to kindly take immediate institutional cognizance of the matter and call for the video recording of the proceedings, the order passed, and the surrounding circumstances.
“I further request that appropriate administrative action may kindly be considered, including withdrawal of judicial work from the learned Judge pending review, his immediate transfer to some far off High Court, and his nomination for appropriate judicial training/orientation on court management, judicial temperament, Bar-Bench relations, and proportional exercise of contempt/judicial authority,” Mishra wrote.
This representation is made to preserve the “dignity, moral authority and public confidence of the judiciary”, he said, adding, “Judges command the highest respect not by fear, but by fairness, patience, restraint and constitutional humility”.
The communication urged the CJI to intervene at the earliest to ensure that the faith of Bar, particularly young advocates, in the protective and corrective role of the judiciary is restored.
The controversy stems from proceedings on May 5.
According to the BCI, a video circulating online shows Justice Rao rebuking a young advocate who was unable to produce a specific order copy during a hearing.
The letter said that despite the advocate "repeatedly seeking pardon and mercy" and claiming he was in physical pain, the judge remained "unmoved".
The judge allegedly told the lawyer, "now you will learn," and mocked his experience before directing the Registrar and police personnel to take him into custody for 24 hours.
The BCI chairperson said that the judge’s actions lacked proportionality and fairness.
"The dignity of the court is not enhanced when a lawyer is made to beg for grace in open court and is still sent to custody for a procedural lapse," the letter said.
"A young lawyer... is an officer of the Court, still learning, still growing, and entitled to correction without humiliation," it added.
The bar body said that such actions create a "chilling effect" on the legal fraternity, particularly among junior members, and undermine the mutual respect required between the Bench and the Bar.
