- The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday slammed the latest U.S. sanctions targeting senior ICC staff, including its president, as a flagrant attack on the global tribunal's independence and vowed to continue seeking justice for atrocities around the world.
- Balkees Jarrah, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, called the sanctions 'the latest example of the Trump administration's utter contempt for international law and a naked attempt to shield American and Israeli officials implicated in serious crimes from justice.'
The International Criminal Court (ICC) condemned the recent U.S. sanctions imposed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a 'flagrant attack' on its independence. The sanctions target ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, freezing their assets in U.S. jurisdictions.1
The U.S. sanctions, part of a broader initiative to undermine the ICC, have now affected nine of the court's 18 judges and several key staff members. Rubio described the ICC as 'a corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court' that has overstepped its authority. This move follows weeks of escalating tensions between the U.S. and the ICC, with Rubio announcing a 'sweeping campaign' to dismantle what he perceives as a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
Human Rights Watch's Balkees Jarrah criticized the sanctions, calling them an example of the Trump administration's 'utter contempt for international law' and an attempt to protect American and Israeli officials from accountability for serious crimes. The ICC remains committed to pursuing justice for atrocities worldwide, despite the U.S. actions.
“The International Criminal Court condemned the U.S. sanctions as a violation of its independence and pledged to continue pursuing justice for global atrocities. Balkees Jarrah from Human Rights Watch criticized the sanctions as a blatant attempt to protect American and Israeli officials from accountability for serious crimes.”
