In a significant development at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, South African lawyer Adila Hassim has brought forth serious accusations against Israel, have a look at her biography and age
Adila Hassim has claimed that some of its actions in the Gaza Strip amount to “acts of genocide.” The charges were presented as part of the ongoing proceedings by marking a heightened level of scrutiny on Israel’s conduct during its conflict with the Hamas terror group.
Who is lawyer Adila Hassim representing South Africa at the ICJ, biography, age, husband and education
Adila Hassim is a seasoned legal professional with a background in socio-economic rights and health litigation. She attended the University of Natal and St Louis University School of Law.
Adila Hassim holds BA LLB, LLM and JSD qualifications and she was admitted to the Johannesburg Society of Advocates in June 2003.
Her preferred areas of practice include constitutional, administrative, health and competition law and she has appeared in various divisions of the High Courts and the Constitutional Court.
She has been an acting judge and edited Health & Democracy A Guide to Human Rights and Health Law and Policy in Post-apartheid South Africa, with Mark Heywood and Jonathan Berger. Her age and family details along with marital status aren’t known though.
"Hundreds of multi generational [Palestinian] families have been wiped out… this killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately, no-one is spared, not even new born babies"
Adila Hassim speaking at the ICJ in the Hague pic.twitter.com/igxvx0PqoM
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) January 11, 2024
Advocate Adila Hassim is a distinguished Counsel at Thulamela Chambers with a profound impact on socio-economic rights litigation. Known for her pivotal role in leading the Life Esidimeni arbitration, Hassim has delved into the complexities of engaging with state officials and the legal constraints faced by the vulnerable.
She served as a clerk for Judge Pius Langa, establishing a foundation for her commitment to the intersections of policy, law, and health. With a rich history, Hassim has contributed significantly to the field, co-editing publications like “Health & Democracy: A Guide to Human Rights and Health Law and Policy in Post-apartheid South Africa.”
Beyond litigation, she co-founded Corruption Watch and serves on its board of directors, showcasing a commitment to broader issues of justice. The 2019 David Sanders Lecture, supported by the NRF/DST/UWC Research Chair in Health Systems, Complexity, and Social Change, provided a platform for Hassim to share her insights, further solidifying her role as a key figure in advancing knowledge and advocacy in health and social justice.
She asserted that Israel has transgressed Article II of the convention by engaging in actions displaying a systematic pattern of conduct, inferring the possibility of genocide.
The heart of her argument lies in the impact on the Palestinian population in Gaza, alleging that they face imminent threats from Israeli weaponry, bombings, starvation, and disease due to the destruction of towns and limited aid access.
“They are also at immediate risk of death from starvation and disease,” Hassim passionately stated, underlining the dire conditions faced by the population.
Hassim clarified that the court need not reach a final conclusion on whether Israel’s conduct unequivocally constitutes genocide. Instead, she urged a consideration of whether some acts align with the provisions of the convention. She emphasized that at least some, if not all, of Israel’s actions in Gaza fall within the convention’s provisions, implicating the country in severe violations.
Hassim further contended that Israel intentionally imposed conditions on Gaza aimed at the physical destruction of its people. This includes alleged deliberate restrictions on aid distribution, exacerbating the already challenging circumstances faced by the Palestinian population. The lawyer’s argument revolves around the assertion that such deliberate measures make life impossible for the residents of Gaza.
This development raises crucial questions about the accountability of nations involved in conflicts and the potential legal consequences for actions that may violate international humanitarian law. The accusations by South Africa, a country with a history of grappling with socio-economic rights issues, bring a fresh perspective to the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
[FULL VIDEO] South African lawyer Adila Hassim presents the opening argument to the #ICJ, outlining the 4 genocidal acts committed by Israel:
1. Israel's mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza
2. Israel’s infliction of serious bodily or mental harm to Palestinians in Gaza
3.… pic.twitter.com/QFbxzbVzik
— In Context (@incontextmedia) January 11, 2024