ICJ stays Kulbhushan Jadhav death penalty
Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav has won a major victory over Pakistan in the International Court of Justice. In the matter, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague of Netherlands, has given judgment in favor of India. According to ICJ Legal Advisor Reema Omar, the court has asked Jadhav to be given counselor access by Pakistan. In addition, the court has directed to effectively review and reconsider the execution of the death penalty. This decision came with a 15-1 in favor of India.
During the decision, 15 out of 16 judges decided in favor of India. In its judgment, the court acknowledged that Pakistan has prevented India from talking to Kulbhushan and providing legal aid to him. The court said that the behavior of Pakistan was a violation of the Vienna Convention. The court, while restraining Jadhav’s execution, said that the ban will continue until Pakistan effectively does not reconsider it.
Court considered Kulbhushan Jadhav as an Indian citizen. The court said that on several occasions Jadhav was addressed by Pakistan as an Indian citizen. Prior to the hearing, India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamoni and Joint Secretary of Foreign Ministry (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) Deepak Mittal reached the court.
Ministry of External Affairs welcomes decision
After the decision on the matter, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ravi Kumar said: “We welcome the decisions given by ICJ to India in favor of the Hague. 15-1, the court upheld the claim of India that Pakistan is violating the Vienna Convention in this matter. We appreciate the court’s instructions. Pakistan should reconsider the punishment given to Jadhav by the military court. The court has directed that Pakistan notify Jadhav of notice without delay. We expect that Pakistan will implement the order immediately. We will continue to work hard to get Jadhav’s release and return to India.”
India-Pakistan face-to-face for the fourth time in ICJ
The case of Kulbhushan Jadhav in International Court (ICJ) is the fourth matter in which India and Pakistan are facing each other. Prior to this, both the countries came face to face with this court in 1999. The international court was established to resolve international affairs after World War II.
