Guyana welcomes ICJ’s provisional measures against Venezuela
President of Guyana, Dr Ifraan Ali, has welcomed the unanimous ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which issued an important Order granting the provisional measures against Venezuela that Guyana requested in response to Venezuela’s announcement that it would be holding a referendum that would endorse, among other illegal measures, Venezuela’s annexation of Guyana’s Essequibo Region.
The Order states:
“Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Cooperative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area.”
President Ali says, as the Court has made clear, Venezuela is prohibited from annexing or trespassing upon Guyanese territory or taking any other actions – regardless of the outcome of its referendum on December 3 – that would alter the status quo in which Guyana administers and controls the Essequibo Region, as an integral part of its sovereign territory, under the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899.
He says today’s ruling is legally binding on Venezuela, noting both the UN Charter and the Statute of the Court, to which Venezuela is a Party, require its strict compliance.
Guyana's President says: “This is an opportunity for Venezuela to join Guyana in demonstrating respect for international law and the principles that govern peaceful coexistence.”
President Ali states: “Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to the international judicial process and the rule of law. It is fully confident that when the ICJ issues its final Judgment on the merits of the case, it will conclude that the Essequibo is legally and rightfully Guyanese territory.
We believe that justice, not force, should be the arbiter of international disputes.”
Guyana affirms its dedication to pursuing a peaceful, legal resolution to this dispute in the proper place – the ICJ – as authorised by the UN Secretary-General in exercising his powers under the Geneva Agreement of 1966.
President Ali notes the solidarity of the international community with Guyana has been invaluable and appeals to its sister countries of CARICOM and the broader international community to continue supporting the principles of justice and international law in relation to the controversy over Guyana’s border with Venezuela.
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