Is Russia party to the ICJ? Is Russia bound by the ICJ?

Russia is one of the 193 States that are parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. This means that Russia has accepted the jurisdiction of the ICJ and is bound by its decisions in cases to which it is a party.

However, Russia has not recognized the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ, which means that it can only be brought before the Court by another State if it consents to it. Russia has also made reservations to some treaties that grant jurisdiction to the ICJ, such as the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Currently, Russia is facing a case brought by Ukraine before the ICJ, alleging that Russia has committed acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. The case is based on Article IX of the Genocide Convention, which gives jurisdiction to the ICJ for disputes relating to the interpretation, application or fulfilment of the Convention.

Russia has challenged the jurisdiction of the ICJ in this case, arguing that there is no dispute between the parties on the Genocide Convention and that Ukraine’s claims are outside the scope of the treaty. The ICJ has not yet decided on this issue, but it has ordered provisional measures requiring both parties to refrain from acts that could aggravate or extend the dispute or prejudice the rights of either party.

The case is still pending before the ICJ and its outcome is uncertain. However, it is clear that Russia, as a party to the ICJ Statute, is obliged to comply with any decision that the Court may render in this case, as well as with any other decision in cases where it has accepted or recognized the jurisdiction of the Court.