- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced sanctions against the president and a senior lawyer of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Rubio stated that the US is sanctioning ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal for their involvement in prosecuting officials without consent.
- The sanctions bar Akane and Seye from entering the United States and from conducting transactions in the U.S. financial system.
- Rubio accused the ICC of being 'a corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court' that has abused its authority.
- The Trump administration has previously imposed sanctions on at least 11 ICC officials, including judges and the chief prosecutor.
- Rights organizations have criticized the Trump administration's actions, viewing them as attempts to undermine international law.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye for prosecuting officials without consent, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration's campaign against the ICC.1
The sanctions, which include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on services from U.S. companies, were announced as part of a broader strategy to undermine the court's authority. Rubio stated that these individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate and prosecute officials whose governments have not consented to ICC jurisdiction.
Rubio described the ICC as a 'corrupt and fatally politicized' body that has 'maliciously abused its authority'. This move follows previous sanctions against at least 11 ICC officials, including judges and the chief prosecutor, as the Trump administration seeks to dismantle the court 'brick by brick'.5
Rights organizations have criticized these actions, arguing they undermine international law and efforts to combat impunity. 'The Trump administration seeks a get-out-of-jail-free card for whomever it chooses,' said Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, highlighting the ongoing legal battles against the administration's campaign.6
The ICC has responded to the sanctions, asserting that they 'undermine the rule of law.'
“The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on services from U.S. companies, reflecting the Trump administration's long-standing opposition to the ICC. Rights organizations have criticized these actions, arguing they undermine international law and efforts to combat impunity globally.”
BBC
