Pathways to International Justice
The Gaza Tribunal is not a formal court and does not replace existing international legal mechanisms. However, its findings, testimonies, WitnessEye documentation, legal classification reports, expert analyses, and final statements can support civil society efforts to pursue accountability through international, regional, and national legal pathways.
Civil society organizations can use the Tribunal’s materials to inform, support, and strengthen submissions, communications, advocacy letters, public briefings, and legal documentation addressed to international courts, United Nations mechanisms, national prosecutors, parliamentary bodies, and human rights institutions.
The purpose of this section is to help civil society actors identify possible legal and institutional pathways and understand how the Gaza Tribunal materials may be used responsibly and effectively.
- International Court of Justice — ICJ
Civil society organizations cannot directly bring a case before the International Court of Justice, as the ICJ hears disputes between states. However, CSOs can use the Gaza Tribunal materials to encourage states to act.
CSOs can:
- call on states to support existing proceedings concerning genocide and violations of international law;
- urge states to intervene in relevant ICJ cases where legally possible;
- send the Gaza Tribunal findings to foreign ministries and parliamentary committees;
- advocate for states to fulfil their obligations under the Genocide Convention;
- use the Tribunal materials to remind governments that genocide prevention and punishment are state obligations.
- International Criminal Court — ICC
The ICC addresses individual criminal responsibility for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Civil society organizations may support accountability by preserving, organizing, and transmitting relevant information through appropriate channels.
CSOs can:
- share legal documentation and analysis with organizations working on ICC accountability;
- support victim and survivor documentation, subject to consent and protection standards;
- amplify calls for accountability for political, military, economic, and institutional actors;
- encourage governments to support the independence and work of the ICC;
- use the WitnessEye legal classification reports as educational and advocacy material.
- United Nations mechanisms
Civil society organizations can engage with United Nations mechanisms, including Special Rapporteurs, treaty bodies, Human Rights Council procedures, commissions of inquiry, and the General Assembly.
CSOs can:
- send the Gaza Tribunal findings to relevant UN Special Rapporteurs;
- submit written information to UN human rights mechanisms where calls for input are open;
- advocate for the UN General Assembly to act where the Security Council is blocked;
- support calls for the use of the Uniting for Peace mechanism;
- urge states to implement obligations under international humanitarian law, human rights law, and the Genocide Convention.
- Universal jurisdiction and national courts
In some countries, national courts may investigate or prosecute international crimes under universal jurisdiction or other domestic legal frameworks. The availability of these pathways differs by country.
CSOs can:
- identify whether universal jurisdiction is available in their country;
- work with lawyers, bar associations, and legal clinics;
- preserve and organize evidence responsibly;
- support victims and witnesses in safe and ethical ways;
- use the Gaza Tribunal materials as background documentation;
- advocate for prosecutors to examine possible crimes and complicity.
- Regional human rights mechanisms
Depending on the country and region, CSOs may engage regional systems, such as European, Inter-American, African, Arab, or other human rights mechanisms.
CSOs can:
- submit information to regional human rights bodies where procedures allow;
- raise state complicity, arms transfers, corporate links, repression of Palestine solidarity, or violations of freedom of expression and assembly;
- use the Tribunal findings to support regional advocacy;
- work with regional human rights lawyers and networks.
- Parliamentary and governmental accountability
Even where international courts are slow or limited, civil society can pressure governments and parliaments to act.
CSOs can:
- send the Final Statement and Judgement to MPs and parliamentary committees;
- request parliamentary hearings;
- demand arms embargoes and sanctions;
- call for recognition of state obligations under the Genocide Convention;
- ask governments to support ICJ and ICC processes;
- demand the suspension of relations, trade, or cooperation that may contribute to ongoing violations.
- Corporate, academic, and institutional complicity
The Gaza Tribunal findings also address the role of non-state actors, including corporations, universities, media institutions, technology companies, and financial actors.
CSOs can:
- identify institutional links to Israeli military, settlement, surveillance, or occupation structures;
- request transparency from universities, banks, companies, and public institutions;
- call for divestment and suspension of partnerships;
- use the Tribunal’s findings in campaigns addressing complicity;
- support ethical procurement and non-complicity policies.