Countries condemn US sanctions against the ICC, which advocates immunity for serious crimes and weakens international law.
Donald Trump’s decision to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) has increased the “risk of immunity” for serious crimes, 79 parties to the Global Court said.
In a statement Friday, after a group of 79 countries (about two-thirds of court membership) confirmed their support for the ICC and signed an executive order sanctioned by Trump to the court for investigating Israel. said sanctions weaken international law.
“Such measures could erode the international rule of law, which is important to increase the risk of immunity for the most serious crimes and promote global order and security,” Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Sierra Leone, and Vanuatu.
They were joined by dozens of other countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil and Bangladesh.
“The courts face unprecedented challenges today,” the statement said after Trump ordered assets to freeze on Tuesday and ordered a travel ban on ICC officials, employees and their families. He warned him with those deemed to have supported the investigation.
“Sansions can put the confidentiality of confidential information and the safety of those involved, including victims, witnesses and court officials. As a strong advocate for the ICC, we are committed to the independence of the court; I regret attempts to undermine integrity and fairness.”
The United States has long pitched as a guarantor of the international order that promotes human rights and the rule of law, but frequently attacked efforts by international organisations to investigate alleged abuse by the United States and its allies.
In an executive order that imposes sanctions, the Trump administration said it would have “specific and serious consequences” on “illegal and unfounded actions targeting the US and our allies, Israel.”
Trump is the first US president to sanction the ICC, but his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, also considered using sanctions to punish courts for investigating Israel.
In November, the ICC issued an arrest warrant to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Joab Gallant on suspicion of war crimes in Gaza. and included widespread denials of humanitarian assistance.
At least 61,000 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks. Most of them are women and children, and it is expected to rise considerably as rescuers search for undiscovered bodies via tile ble.
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant to the leader of the Palestinian armed group Hamas on suspicion of war crimes committed during an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
“Due to Trump’s International Criminal Court sanctions, the US has placed the US on the side of war criminals at the expense of its victims,” said Israeli-Palestinian Director Omar Shaquir. “Sansions are aimed at perpetrators and not people who work to explain it. The state needs to advocate for the ICC because they do its job.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schuoff said his country would try to ensure that the Hague-based ICC will continue to operate despite announcing US sanctions.
“Of course, as a host country, we are always responsible for ensuring the unobstructed function of the criminal court. Schoof told reporters that the independence of the ICC and the ongoing investigations “disruptive signals and extremely high.” I’m sorry,” he said.
“The Netherlands is by the International Criminal Court. We will continue to support you. We are the host country. We are also proud of the Netherlands and the Hague as cities for peace and justice. ICC is It’s the explicit part, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure that the ICC can do the task.”