The Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration filed an urgent petition with the Supreme Court of Barbados accusing Israel of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian population.

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Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration called in their affidavit upon the Director of Public Prosecutions to bring charges against anyone in Barbados, visitor or resident alike, who has been involved in “genocide in Gaza; war crimes; apartheid; and crimes against humanity in Gaza.”

Barbados, as a signatory to the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions, is bound by treaty to prosecute persons for genocide regardless of where the crime was committed.

The claimant insists that it is one of utmost urgency and expects it to be raised at the Forty-ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) scheduled for 6-8 July 2025 under the chairmanship of Dr Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica. 

The Secretary General of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, David Denny, stressed the need to inform heads of state in the region about the situation in Gaza so that they can act accordingly. The movement is represented by lawyer Lalu Hanuman.

On the other hand, at a press conference in Barbados, the Caribbeans Against the Apartheid in Palestine demanded legal action because Barbados “has the responsibility to act on the genocide in Palestine,” since doing nothing is complicity.

According to the movement, this effort is crucial for both justice and international solidarity. Even the Prime Minister of Barbados has acknowledged that genocide is taking place, which provides a legal and moral basis for action. This recognition is vital for the legitimacy of action.

The movement, in addition to seeking justice, says the case will serve as an educational tool to raise awareness of the situation in Palestine. Understanding reality is essential to encouraging collective action.

Representatives recalled that Barbados may join other nations that have taken similar decisions, such as Cuba and Venezuela, in supporting Palestine while discussing the legal process and filing system in Barbados, which has recently faced technical problems, which affects the urgency of the case.

The Caribbean organization against apartheid in Palestine has asked to break off diplomatic relations with Israel. This request was made a year and a half ago, but has not been answered. A petition with approximately 1,500 signatures has been collected in the Caribbean to break diplomatic relations with Israel. This reflects growing support for the Palestinian cause, says the movement.

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