ICJ: Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Croatia v. Serbia) (Conclusion of Public Hearings)

Today, the International Court of Justice concluding its public hearings on the preliminary objections raised by Serbia in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Croatia v. Serbia) (press release here).

Here are the final submissions of the parties:

For Serbia

Serbia requests the Court to adjudge and declare:

1. that the Court lacks jurisdiction, or in the alternative

2. (a) that claims based on acts or omissions which took place prior to 27 April 1992 are beyond the jurisdiction of this Court and inadmissible; and

(b) that claims referring to

• submission to trial of certain persons within the jurisdiction of Serbia,
• providing information regarding the whereabouts of missing Croatian citizens, and
• return of cultural property

are beyond the jurisdiction of this Court and inadmissible.

For Croatia

The Republic of Croatia respectfully requests the International Court of Justice to:

1. reject the first, second and third preliminary objection of Serbia, with the exception of that part of the second preliminary objection which relates to the claim concerning the submission to trial of Mr. Slobodan Milošević, and accordingly to

2. adjudge and declare that it has jurisdiction to adjudicate upon the Application filed by the Republic of Croatia on 2 July 1999.

The verbatim record of the oral proceedings can be found here.