THE HAGUE, 18 February 2004. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has been informed by Palestine, as well as South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Belize, Cuba, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Senegal, the Sudan and Turkey, and by the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, of their desire to present oral statements in the case concerning the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (request for advisory opinion). In order that they may be heard, the Court will hold public sittings from 23 February 2004 to 25 February 2004 at the Peace Palace, where it has its seat.
The Court will sit in the morning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The schedule for these hearings is as
follows:
Monday 23 February 2004
Morning: Palestine
Afternoon: South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh
Tuesday 24 February 2004
Morning: Belize, Cuba, Indonesia, Jordan
Afternoon: Madagascar, Malaysia, Senegal
Wednesday 25 February 2004
Morning: Sudan, Turkey, League of Arab States, Organization of the Islamic Conference
History of the proceedings
For the history of the proceedings, please see Press Release 2004/5 on the Court’s website (www.icj-cij.org). Click on “Docket” and then on the hyperlink showing the name of the case concerning the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Request for Advisory Opinion).
Important reminders
As indicated in Press Releases 2004/6, 2004/7 and 2004/8, given the interest aroused by these hearings, special, very strict measures have been taken in respect of media and public access to the Peace Palace. Only those journalists and members of the public who have been duly accredited by the Court will be allowed into, respectively, the Press Centre and the Small Hall of Justice in the Peace Palace.
___________
Mr. Arthur Witteveen,
First Secretary of the Court
tel.: + 31 70 302 23 36
Mrs. Laurence Blairon and Mr. Boris Heim,
Press Officers, are available to the press for all further information .
tel.: + 31 70 302 23 37
e-mail: information@icj-cij.org