On January 31, 2025, representatives from the governments of Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa convened in The Hague to coordinate legal, economic, and diplomatic measures in response to Israel’s violations of international law, including its ongoing actions in Gaza. The meeting, convened by the Progressive International, culminated in the formation of The Hague Group and a public announcement at a press conference later that afternoon.

DiEM25 and its co-founder Yanis Varoufakis stands in full solidarity with The Hague Group and its collective commitment to upholding international law, resisting threats against the International Criminal Court (ICC), and defending Palestinian rights.

This case is not just about Israel’s war on Gaza. It is about defending the very foundations of international law. It is about saying, loud and clear, that genocide will not be tolerated, no matter who commits it. It is about challenging the West’s hypocrisy – governments that claim to stand for human rights while funding, arming, and defending apartheid and ethnic cleansing.

The Hague, known as the City of Peace and Justice, provides the symbolic backdrop for this historic meeting. Home to the Peace Palace, the ICC, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the city represents the world’s aspiration for a global order governed by law, not force. Today’s meeting and the announcement of coordinated measures come at a critical moment, as international law faces unprecedented stress. Israel’s violations in Gaza – documented by international courts and condemned by global civil society – have been met with impunity, enabled by diplomatic and military support from powerful allies.

“The Hague Group is born of necessity,” said Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, co-general coordinator of the Progressive International. “In a world where powerful nations act with impunity, we must stand together to defend the principles of justice, equality, and human rights.”

By coordinating legal, economic, and diplomatic measures, The Hague Group aims to disrupt the systems that enable violations of international law and hold violators accountable.

The Global South is leading where Europe refuses to act. From Latin America to Africa and Asia, various nations – many of whom carry the scars of colonialism – understand what is at stake. Their solidarity with Palestine is a reminder that justice cannot be dictated by the powerful; it must be defended by those who refuse to be complicit in crimes against humanity.

DiEM25 calls on European citizens to take a stand. Our governments are failing us, aligning with war criminals instead of defending human rights. We must demand that Europe supports justice, not genocide. That it upholds international law, rather than shredding it for geopolitical convenience.

History is watching. The future is being shaped now. The Global South has taken a stand – will Europe?

Watch the press conference

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