ICJ stays Kulbhushan Yadav’s execution, grants India consular access

July 17: In a major victory for India, the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, on Wednesday, held Pakistan in violation of the Vienna Convention and granted consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, President of the court read out the decision at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

The verdict was 15 to one in favour of India; the lone dissenter was the judge from Pakistan. Even the judge from China supported India, which can be a significant diplomatic pressure point for Islamabad. Kulbhushan Jadhav’s death sentence “should remain suspended until Pakistan effectively reviews and reconsiders the conviction and sentence,” said the UN court, agreeing with India’s stand that Pakistan had violated the Vienna convention by denying consular access to Jadhav after his conviction in a “farcical” closed trial.

We welcome today’s verdict in the @CIJ_ICJ. Truth and justice have prevailed. Congratulations to the ICJ for a verdict based on extensive study of facts. I am sure Kulbhushan Jadhav will get justice.

Our Government will always work for the safety and welfare of every Indian.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 17, 2019