The International Criminal Court (ICC) has publicly denounced new sanctions imposed by the United States on its judges and prosecutors, describing the action as "deplorable." The sanctions, announced by the US State Department on Wednesday, target two judges and two prosecutors involved in pursuing legal actions against US and Israeli citizens. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the ICC, describing it as a "national security threat" and an "instrument of lawfare" aimed at the US and Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the US decision, as the ICC had issued arrest warrants against him and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. France also joined the condemnation of the US sanctions, expressing dismay, especially since one of its judges, Nicolas Guillou, was among those sanctioned. The other ICC officials targeted include Canadian Judge Kimberly Prost, Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan from Fiji, and Mame Mandiaye Niang from Senegal.
Rubio criticized what he perceives as the ICC's "politicisation and abuse of power," framing the sanctions as a necessary measure against judicial overreach. The ICC responded to the sanctions, calling them a "flagrant attack" on its autonomy, further asserting that these actions also affront global justice mechanisms and harm innocent victims worldwide.
France's foreign ministry condemned the sanctions, stating they contradict the principles of an independent judiciary. Concurrently, Netanyahu characterized the sanctions as a "firm measure" against what he deemed a malicious campaign against Israel. According to the US State Department’s announcement, Guillou was sanctioned for endorsing the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, while Prost faced penalties for investigating US personnel in Afghanistan. The sanctions prevent the implicated officials from accessing or benefiting from any properties or interests in the United States.
These measures follow earlier sanctions imposed on the ICC's chief prosecutor and four other judges earlier this year. The UN's human rights chief has previously demanded the withdrawal of these sanctions, emphasizing their contradiction to the respect for the rule of law. In July, sanctions were also placed on UN Human Rights Council expert Francesca Albanese, known for her criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza, justifying the US's actions against her by citing her involvement with the ICC. Albanese has since reiterated her commitment to justice, drawing on Italy's historical dedication to such pursuits.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the US decision, as the ICC had issued arrest warrants against him and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. France also joined the condemnation of the US sanctions, expressing dismay, especially since one of its judges, Nicolas Guillou, was among those sanctioned. The other ICC officials targeted include Canadian Judge Kimberly Prost, Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan from Fiji, and Mame Mandiaye Niang from Senegal.
Rubio criticized what he perceives as the ICC's "politicisation and abuse of power," framing the sanctions as a necessary measure against judicial overreach. The ICC responded to the sanctions, calling them a "flagrant attack" on its autonomy, further asserting that these actions also affront global justice mechanisms and harm innocent victims worldwide.
France's foreign ministry condemned the sanctions, stating they contradict the principles of an independent judiciary. Concurrently, Netanyahu characterized the sanctions as a "firm measure" against what he deemed a malicious campaign against Israel. According to the US State Department’s announcement, Guillou was sanctioned for endorsing the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, while Prost faced penalties for investigating US personnel in Afghanistan. The sanctions prevent the implicated officials from accessing or benefiting from any properties or interests in the United States.
These measures follow earlier sanctions imposed on the ICC's chief prosecutor and four other judges earlier this year. The UN's human rights chief has previously demanded the withdrawal of these sanctions, emphasizing their contradiction to the respect for the rule of law. In July, sanctions were also placed on UN Human Rights Council expert Francesca Albanese, known for her criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza, justifying the US's actions against her by citing her involvement with the ICC. Albanese has since reiterated her commitment to justice, drawing on Italy's historical dedication to such pursuits.
