7 News Belize

Belize Deposits Case At ICJ, the Countdown Begins
posted (June 7, 2019)
On May 8th, Belizeans voted "YES" to the ICJ. And, tonight, the Government of Belize is reporting tonight that it has officially notified the ICJ of that yes vote, just in time to meet the 1-month deadline after the May 8th result.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the notification of the 2008 Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, along with its 2015 protocol, was delivered today to the Registrar of the ICJ at its headquarters in the Hague, Netherland. Belize's letter of notification was signed by Minister Wilfred Elrington, and it was hand delivered by Belize's Ambassador in Belgium, Dylan Vernon.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry explains that Article 8 of the Special Agreement stipulates that the registrar of the court is to be notified of the Special agreement jointly, or within a month after the referendum in both countries has approved the submission of the dispute. Guatemala did that within the 30-days after their yes vote last year on April 15th. So, with today's submission from Belize, the consent of both countries to the jurisdiction of the court has been perfected.

Foreign Affairs notes that Belize's notification activates the written procedure under the Special Agreement which provides that Guatemala will present its case, which is called a memorial within 1 year. So we can expect to see that full claim no later than June 7th, 2020. After the court has received Guatemala's memorial, Belize will have 1 year to respond.

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