The International Court of Justice (ICJ) says that Ireland has filed an intervention in a case taken by Ukraine against Russia under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Ireland is arguing that it can intervene in the proceedings, as it is a party to the convention on genocide.

In its declaration, according to the ICJ, Ireland refers to “the essential function of the prohibition of genocide in ensuring the interests of humanity”, as well as the universal nature of states’ rights and obligations under the convention.

“As a contracting party Ireland has a direct interest in the construction that might be placed by the court on the relevant provisions of the convention, and wishes to see the consistent interpretation, application and fulfilment of the convention among all contracting parties,” its intervention states.

Russian claims ‘false’, says Ukraine

The ICJ, based in The Hague, has invited Ukraine and the Russian Federation to give written observations on Ireland’s intervention.

In its application, Ukraine contends that Russia has falsely claimed that acts of genocide have occurred in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine.

Ukraine accuses Russia of using this claim to justify its recognition of the so-called ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ and ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’, and its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine “emphatically denies” that such genocide has occurred, and it also accuses Russia of “planning acts of genocide in Ukraine”.

Several other EU states have also filed interventions in the case.

Ireland had already announced that it planned to seek leave to intervene in another case taken by Ukraine against Russia before the European Court of Human Rights.