The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to remove Judge Julia Sebutinde from all proceedings relating to the Israel-Palestine case, citing concerns over her impartiality.
In a letter addressed to ICJ President Judge Yuji Iwasawa on August 22, 2025, MPAC expressed alarm over Judge Sebutinde’s admission that her rulings on the matter were influenced not by legal reasoning but by her personal religious beliefs.
During a sermon at Watoto Church in Uganda on August 10, Sebutinde reportedly declared that she opposed the ICJ’s ruling because she believed “God was counting on [her] to stand on the side of Israel,” describing the situation as part of the “end times.”
MPAC argued that such statements undermine the credibility and independence of the Court, violating Articles 2 and 20 of the ICJ Statute, which require judges to act impartially and independently of personal convictions.
“The ICJ’s judgments must remain grounded solely in international law, objective evidence, and universally recognized legal principles—not in personal or religious convictions,” the letter read. “Allowing otherwise risks eroding public trust in the Court and weakening its moral and legal authority at a time when its role is most critical.”
The group emphasized that the Israel-Palestine case touches on issues of genocide, occupation, and fundamental human rights, making impartiality indispensable. It urged the Court to immediately remove Judge Sebutinde from all related cases and reaffirm its commitment to fairness and judicial independence.
Signed by MPAC Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, the petition concluded by stressing that the ICJ must remain “a beacon of fairness and justice in a deeply divided world” and warned that any compromise on impartiality could weaken the international legal system itself.
