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Nicaragua closes Berlin embassy amid diplomatic strain with Germany

By Selin Atay
Apr 11, 2024 5:10 PM

Nicaragua closes its Berlin embassy, accusing Germany of contributing to Gaza atrocities of Israel

The German Foreign Ministry’s website reports that Nikaragua, who accuses Germany of aiding the Gaza Strip atrocities by supplying arms to Israel, has closed its embassy in Berlin.

It’s noted that Nikaragua’s embassy in Austria will handle consular services and other requests from Germany.

Reports indicate approximately 250 Nikaraguan citizens in Germany and around 1000 German citizens in Nikaragua.

Germany accused of aiding genocide in Gaza

Nicaragua closed its embassy in Berlin after filing an international legal case against Germany accusing it of “facilitating the commission of genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza via its arms exports to Israel.

Nicaragua closes Berlin embassy amid diplomatic strain with Germany
Carlos Jose Francisco Arguello Gomez, Nicaragua’s ambassador to The Netherlands, stated in his opening remarks that “serious breaches of international humanitarian law … including genocide, are taking place in Palestine.”

According to the case, which has been filed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Germany has violated its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention and other norms of general international law by participating in “the ongoing plausible genocide and serious breaches of international humanitarian law and other peremptory norms of general international law occurring in the Gaza Strip.”

Additionally, Nikaragua demands an immediate halt to Germany’s arms shipments to Israel and the resumption of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.

Germany refutes Nicaragua’s genocide accusations

Nicaragua closes Berlin embassy amid diplomatic strain with Germany
However, Germany’s legal team, led by Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, argued that Nicaragua’s claims lacked factual and legal basis, emphasizing they revolved around Israel’s conduct, not Germany’s involvement.

Germany strongly refuted Nicaragua’s accusations at the United Nations’ top court, rejecting claims of facilitating breaches of international law by supporting Israel’s Gaza assault.

Source: Newsroom

 

Source: Newsroom

Last Updated:  May 28, 2024 4:55 PM