Lawsuit against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Police in Denmark

On 3 April 2024, Amnesty International Denmark, Oxfam Denmark, MS Action Aid Denmark, and the Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Police in Denmark for failing to comply with Denmark’s obligations under domestic and international law by allowing arms exports to Israel. The plaintiffs ask that any existing permits for the export of military equipment to Israel be revoked, including permits for the permanent export of parts and components of F-35 fighter jets, which are sent to the US, for final sale of the F-35 fighter jets to Israel. The plaintiffs argue that any transfers of Danish weapon components and other military equipment, directly and indirectly to Israel, “are currently being used to potentially commit war crimes and contribute to a plausible genocide”, which is in violation of the ATT and EU Common Position.   

The case has been registered with the court in Denmark. As of April 2024, it is expected that it will take a few months before the Attorney General responds to the application. It is not unfeasible that, despite the urgent nature of the case, a ruling could take years.