Australia Supports Ukraine in the International Court of Justice

Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator the Hon Penny Wong

Attorney-General
Cabinet Secretary
The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP

Joint media release

Australia will today join 31 other countries delivering interventions before the International Court of Justice in support of Ukraine’s case against Russia in response to Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

Solicitor-General Dr Stephen Donaghue KC will deliver Australia’s intervention in the preliminary objections phase of the proceedings, arguing that the Court has jurisdiction to hear the case.

Australia strongly supports Ukraine’s decision to bring this case before the International Court of Justice, which alleges Russia has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Russia’s attempts to use false allegations of genocide as a pretext to justify its egregious violations of international law in Ukraine undermines the rules-based international order.

Australia stands against such attempts and is supporting Ukraine and the international community in holding Russia to account.

Australia continues to call on Russia to comply with the ICJ’s legally binding order of 16 March 2022 to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

We remind Russia that, as a member of the United Nations, it is legally obliged to comply with decisions of the ICJ in any case to which it is a party.

Quote attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Russia must be held to account for its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.”

“Australia’s intervention in the International Court of Justice today is just one way we are supporting Ukraine to hold Russia to account.”

“We stand with the people of Ukraine and the 31 other countries who are supporting Ukraine in this case - we are stronger when we work together to address shared challenges.”

Quote attributable to Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP:

“Australia stands unequivocally with Ukraine in its fight to hold Russia accountable for the despicable allegations used as the pretext for its illegal and immoral invasion.

“Our intervention before the International Court of Justice demonstrates Australia’s unwavering commitment to upholding fundamental rules of international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.”