Big diplomatic victory for India in #KulbhushanhanVerdict : ICJ slams Pakistan for violating Vienna Convention

In a major diplomatic for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) today asked Pakistan to review its conviction and hold the death sentence of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is facing execution, was arrested by Pakistan forces allegedly for spying.

15 of the 16 ICJ judges pronounced a verdict in favour of India and held Pakistan guilty of violating the Vienna Convention. The sole judge that voted against the verdict is ad hoc judge Tassaduq Hussain Jillani of Pakistan.

ICJ has ruled in favour of India on merits, affirming Jadhav’s right to consular access. The Court has directed Pakistan to provide effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences, Reema Omer, International Legal Advisor, South Asia said in a tweet.

The Court has also said Jadhav’s death sentence should remain suspended until Pakistan effectively reviews& reconsiders the conviction/sentence in light of Pakistan’s breach of Art 36(1) ie denial of consular access and notification, She said in another tweet.

In its order, ICJ said that Pakistan deprived India of the right to communicate with and have access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, to visit him in detention and to arrange for his legal representation and thereby breached obligations incumbent upon it under Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.