The International Criminal Court (ICC) has criticised in strong terms the United States for slamming four of its judges with harsh sanctions, calling it a “clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution”.
The sanctions, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, target judges Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.
A statement written in reaction to the imposed sanctions, says the ICC said the measures “only embolden those who believe they can act with impunity” and will not help civilians trapped in conflict.
The court’s statement emphasised that the sanctions are not only directed at the designated individuals but also targeted at all those who support the court, including nationals and corporate entities of states parties.
It said, “These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution which operates under the mandate from 125 States Parties from all corners of the globe. The ICC provides justice and hope to millions of victims of unimaginable atrocities, in strict adherence to the Rome Statute, and maintains the highest standards in protecting the rights of suspects and the victims.
“Targeting those working for accountability does nothing to help civilians trapped in conflict. It only emboldens those who believe they can act with impunity. These sanctions are not only directed at designated individuals, they also target all those who support the Court, including nationals and corporate entities of States Parties. They are aimed against innocent victims in all Situations before the Court, as well as the rule of law, peace, security and the prevention of the gravest crimes that shock the conscience of humanity.”
“The ICC stands fully behind its personnel, and will continue its work undeterred, in strict accordance with the Rome Statute and the principles of fairness and due process, with a view to bringing justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression,” the statement published on its website stated.
While announcing the sanctions, the US Secretary of State condemned the ICC judges for “illegitimate actions” targeting the United States and Israel. President Donald Trump ordered his cabinet to impose sanctions after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The two were accused of leading an Israeli offensive in Gaza that resulted in famine and alleged war crimes.
Two of the sanctioned judges approved the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, while the other two authorised an ICC probe into alleged abuses by US forces in Afghanistan.
“As ICC judges, these four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel,” Rubio said.
He accused the ICC of being politicised, adding that it “falsely claims unfettered discretion to investigate, charge, and prosecute nationals of the United States and our allies”.
“This dangerous assertion and abuse of power infringes upon the sovereignty and national security of the United States and our allies, including Israel,” he said.
The US has already sanctioned the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, because of his role in pursuing the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.
