The military operations conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran and Venezuela have sparked a wave of criticism within academic and political circles in Germany. Dozens of legal experts have pointed out the necessity for the German government to condemn these violations, warning that a failure to hold international law violators accountable leads to the erosion of the rule of law.
Since the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran in late February, the military operations have resulted in the deaths of several government officials and over 1,000 civilians. Venezuela has also witnessed the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by U.S. special forces, which has similarly resulted in civilian casualties.
Details of the Incident
The vast majority of experts in international law consider the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran and the U.S. intervention in Venezuela to be a blatant violation of international law. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has not unequivocally condemned these actions, stating that measures taken against a regime developing nuclear weapons and oppressing its people do not yield tangible results.
Before his visit to the White House following the initial attack on Iran, Merz clarified that he did not intend to "lecture" President Donald Trump on international law, which sparked criticism in Germany regarding his perceived flattery of the U.S. president.
Context and Background
In an open letter published on March 17, several academics criticized the German government's stance, warning of its potential impact on the international system. Janina Dill, a law professor at the University of Oxford, emphasized that major international politics, particularly the shift in U.S. policy away from international law, is causing significant harm to the rule of law.
Ann Peters, director of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg, added that failing to protest against violations of international law could lead to an unwritten change in this law, threatening the principle of the prohibition of the use of force.
Consequences and Impact
The criticisms suggest that Merz has downplayed the significance of international law concerning what has occurred in Venezuela and Iran, while he has strongly condemned Russia's violations of international law in Ukraine. In this context, Henning Hoff from the German Council on Foreign Relations stated that the Chancellor has a selective relationship with international law.
Experts from the Global South have criticized what they describe as double standards followed by Western governments in dealing with international law, accusing them of ignoring it when it does not align with their interests.
Significance for the Arab Region
These developments are particularly significant for the Arab region, as they reflect the challenges faced by Arab countries in dealing with major powers. With increasing violations of international law, there is a growing need to strengthen international laws to ensure the rights of small and medium-sized states.
In conclusion, the German government's position on these violations remains questionable, especially with calls from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to condemn the war on Iran as an act violating international law. A lack of a clear stance could lead to a loss of credibility on the international stage.