Tag:
International Court of Justice
Government
Statement by Belize on the Guyana Venezuela Border Situation
The Government of Belize is deeply concerned about recently announced decisions by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by which it purports to exercise rights of administrative sovereignty over the Essequibo region, an integral part of the territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
Government
ICJ elects five new judges
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) elected five new judges on November 9th after a round of votes held by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations (UN). The voting is via secret ballot. The Government of Belize paid keen attention to the judges elected as the territorial claim by Guatemala over the Jewel will be settled at the ICJ, with the case's first oral hearings expected for the summer of 2024.
Government
ICJ to elect new judges: Oral hearings for the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute expected in 2024
Elections for five new judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are expected to occur in November 2023. The ICJ consists of 15 judges, with five members elected in intervals of three years. While this transition is ongoing, oral hearings before the ICJ are slated to resume until February 2024, when the newly elected judges officially take up tenure. The Belize-Guatemala territorial, insular, and maritime dispute case is awaiting its first oral hearing, expected in late spring or the summer of 2024.
Community and Society
Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute case moving to oral hearings at the ICJ
On Wednesday, June 7th, Belize delivered its last written response, called ‘Rejoinder’, to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the legal proceedings to settle Guatemala’s territorial, insular, and maritime claim over the Jewel. This ended the stage of written submissions, and the next step is for the court to set a date for the oral hearings. The stage of written submissions has lasted four years since the case was formally submitted to the ICJ in 2019. Since then, Belize and Guatemala have presented written presentations known as Memorials, defending their respective position in the long-standing territorial dispute.
Government
Belize files Memorial at the ICJ against Honduras over the Sapodilla Cayes
Belize has delivered its Memorial (documents) concerning sovereignty over the southern Sapodilla Cayes from Honduras. The Government of Belize announced this intention in October 2022 and has formally submitted documents to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Honduras has maintained a claim to the Sapodilla Cayes, as noted in its constitution since 1982.
Government
Guatemala submits second memorial to the ICJ regarding the territorial, insular, and maritime claim over Belize
Guatemala submitted its reply to Belize’s counter-memorial regarding the territorial, insular, and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case from Guatemala against Belize is to be settled at the international court in the Netherlands, Europe. Now, Belize must submit another reply known as the ‘rejoinder’ on June 8, 2023.
Government
Belize plans to take Honduras to the ICJ over the Sapodilla Caye region dispute
The territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala may not be the only one Belizeans face. A claim to parts of Belize’s southern islands and waters may be brought up by Honduras. Therefore, the Government of Belize plans to take Honduras to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The area in dispute is the Sapodilla Caye range, located in the southernmost group of islands/cayes in Belize’s waters.
Government
OAS Secretary General says Belize and Guatemala need to continue working together
The territorial claim on Belize by Guatemala is far from over as it waits for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) settlement. Along the border dividing both countries, the Organization of American States (OAS) has an office where they monitor activities in the area. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro arrived in the country on Sunday, August 21st, for a two-day visit. Almagro urged Belize and Guatemala to continue working together and cooperate through the Confidence Building Measures agreed between both countries.
