In a significant response to US sanctions imposed on its judges and prosecutors, the ICC denounces the actions as an affront to international law and judicial integrity.
**ICC Condemns US Sanctions Targeting Its Judges and Prosecutors**
**ICC Condemns US Sanctions Targeting Its Judges and Prosecutors**
The International Criminal Court expresses deep concern over new sanctions imposed by the US, labeling them a threat to judicial independence.
In a strong statement, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has voiced its profound disapproval of the fresh sanctions imposed by the United States on its judges and prosecutors, describing these measures as a direct attack on the court's independence. On Wednesday, the US State Department announced sanctions against two judges and two prosecutors at the ICC, attributing the actions to their involvement in prosecuting American and Israeli nationals.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the ICC, labeling it as "an instrument of lawfare" that poses a "national security threat" to both the United States and Israel. His remarks coincided with the ICC's ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes during Israel's military operations in Gaza, which included arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The sanctions have attracted international condemnation, with France joining the ICC in expressing its dismay, particularly since one of the sanctioned judges, Nicolas Guillou, is from France. Rubio's statement further condemned the ICC for its “politicisation” and “illegitimate judicial overreach,” leading to accusations that the court has chosen sides rather than remaining neutral.
In response to the sanctions, the ICC described the measures as a blatant affront to the rules-based international order and to the millions of victims who depend on the court's impartiality and fairness. The sanctions imposed prevent the four ICC officials from accessing or benefiting from any property or interests in the US, representing a significant diplomatic confrontation between the US and the ICC.
The US had previously imposed similar sanctions on the ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan KC, highlighting a pattern of opposition against the court by the current US administration. UN human rights chief has voiced concerns, urging the US to retract its punitive measures, which contradict the fundamental principles of an independent judiciary that the ICC is built upon.
With these tensions rising, the situation has far-reaching implications for international law and the ICC's function as a global court for prosecuting serious crimes such as genocide and war crimes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the ICC, labeling it as "an instrument of lawfare" that poses a "national security threat" to both the United States and Israel. His remarks coincided with the ICC's ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes during Israel's military operations in Gaza, which included arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The sanctions have attracted international condemnation, with France joining the ICC in expressing its dismay, particularly since one of the sanctioned judges, Nicolas Guillou, is from France. Rubio's statement further condemned the ICC for its “politicisation” and “illegitimate judicial overreach,” leading to accusations that the court has chosen sides rather than remaining neutral.
In response to the sanctions, the ICC described the measures as a blatant affront to the rules-based international order and to the millions of victims who depend on the court's impartiality and fairness. The sanctions imposed prevent the four ICC officials from accessing or benefiting from any property or interests in the US, representing a significant diplomatic confrontation between the US and the ICC.
The US had previously imposed similar sanctions on the ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan KC, highlighting a pattern of opposition against the court by the current US administration. UN human rights chief has voiced concerns, urging the US to retract its punitive measures, which contradict the fundamental principles of an independent judiciary that the ICC is built upon.
With these tensions rising, the situation has far-reaching implications for international law and the ICC's function as a global court for prosecuting serious crimes such as genocide and war crimes.
