Labour Says Appointing Anti-Trident Former Corbyn Adviser to ICJ Reflects Commitment to ‘International Justice’ – Guido Fawkes

Labour Says Appointing Anti-Trident Former Corbyn Adviser to ICJ Reflects Commitment to ‘International Justice’

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The FCDO was asked by the Tories what its criteria were for selecting Corbyn’s former legal adviser Dapo Akande to represent the UK at the ICJ for the 2027-2036 term. Elections take place in November next year…

Akande has the support of Attorney General Richard Hermer (who met with him last year) and Keir Starmer. He:

• Advised the Corbyn Labour opposition in 2018 that the UK’s bombing of Syria did not comply with international law. This was of course following the notorious Douma chemical attack…
• Co-authored an article arguing that triggering the Trident deterrent “would not be acting lawfully” and would be “neither necessary nor proportional for either repelling an on-going attack or for stopping an imminent one.“
• Representing Zambia, argued that giving away the Chagos islands was necessary as a case “about the international law obligations regarding decolonisation.” He also claimed the surrender deal is the “exercise of the principle of self-determination.” Ask the Chagossians what they think about that, they’re in Crawley…
• Praised the “brilliant” work of Julian Assange’s lawyers to the Kremlin mouthpiece Sputnik.

Naturally the Tories themselves supported Akande’s appointment to the International Law Commission in 2021. The government says today that Akande “is an outstanding candidate who would make a formidable judge on the ICJ.  Professor Akande’s nomination reflects the UK’s firm commitment to international justice, human rights and the international rule of law.” Rule of lefty lawyers…