The court in The Hague will investigate Turkey for war crimes? | Israel today

Following the request of the Shurat HaDin organization, the chief prosecutor was forced to announce that she would examine the possibility of opening an investigation into the occupation of northern Cyprus. • The move may affect the investigation against Israel

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

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  Reuters

The chief prosecutor of the criminal court in The Hague, Pato Bensuda, was forced to announce today (Thursday) that she will examine the possibility of opening an investigation against Turkey for war crimes for the occupation of northern Cyprus, which began in 1974.

This move may have an impact on the handling of a possible lawsuit against Israel, as so far the prosecution has refrained from discussing this issue and has focused only on Israel.

Turkey was among the countries that welcomed the decision of the tribunal, according to which the international body has the authority to discuss the issue of war crimes committed in "areas occupied by Israel in 1967".

Turkey was also behind an attempt to open an investigation against Israel in the International Court of Justice in The Hague for attacking the Maui Marmara flotilla.

The lawsuit, filed by the Comoros Islands, was dismissed.

The lawsuit against Turkey was filed by the Law Firm on behalf of a Cypriot representative in the European Parliament and a Cypriot human rights organization seven years ago, but was not addressed despite repeated appeals.

Now, following the "rule of law" appeal to the independent supervisory body of the International Criminal Court - which examines the improper conduct of officials in the court, the prosecutor stated in her speech that she will also decide on the Turkish issue before retiring in June.

The purpose of the lawsuit filed by Shurat HaDin was to bind the court in The Hague to deal with the Israeli issue, with the understanding that raising the Turkish issue may serve as evidence that the court has refrained from dealing with other territorial disputes.

Turkey, like Israel, is not a member of the International Court of Justice.

Cyprus, on the other hand, has been a member of the Court since 2002.

The tribunal's auditing body - IOM - stated in its letter that the plaintiff has its own discretion and priorities.

However, the plaintiff's statement that it is beginning an investigation into the war against Turkey for war crimes in northern Cyprus is not accidental.

In its letter, the review body rejects the "Law of Justice" claim that a meeting it held with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in 2015 did not constitute an ethical deviation of the plaintiff from her position, and that her mandate also allows her to meet with state leaders.

The IMO is the independent supervisory body of the International Criminal Court, established by a decision of the Assembly of States Parties to the Court to serve as the body of trust for the existence of efficient and proper work processes in the various bodies of the Court.

In addition, he was given the authority to investigate improper conduct and acts of corruption on behalf of officials in the court.