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EU blasts threats against ICC as US targets court
🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

EU blasts threats against ICC as US targets court

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The European Union strongly condemned threats against the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the US vowed a broad campaign against the tribunal.
  • The US accused the ICC of posing an "intolerable threat to US sovereignty" and vowed to "systematically disable" its operations.
  • The US, which has not ratified the treaty establishing the ICC, previously imposed sanctions on ICC officials over an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The European Union has strongly denounced threats directed at the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the United States' declaration of a sweeping campaign against the tribunal. EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni stated, "We are strongly committed to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity. Attacks or threats against the court-elected officials, personnel or those cooperating with the court, are simply not acceptable."

We are strongly committed to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity. Attacks or threats against the court-elected officials, personnel or those cooperating with the court, are simply not acceptable.

— Anouar El AnouniEU spokesman Anouar El Anouni stated the EU's commitment to international justice and condemnation of threats against the ICC.

Washington's move, announced on Monday, includes threats of further sanctions and other measures, with the US government accusing the ICC of posing "an intolerable threat to US sovereignty." The State Department indicated that the campaign will "systematically disable the ICC's ability to operate, target American servicemen or officials, or otherwise threaten American sovereignty."

The Trump administration has previously targeted individual ICC officials deemed a threat to U.S. interests. In February 2025, following President Donald Trump's return to office, the U.S. imposed asset freezes and travel bans on several ICC officials. This action was in response to an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning the war in Gaza.

an intolerable threat to US sovereignty

— US GovernmentThe US government's accusation against the ICC, justifying its campaign against the tribunal.

Both the U.S. and Israel have not ratified the international treaty that established the ICC and have rejected the court's jurisdiction in cases involving them. In June, three ICC judges sanctioned by the Trump administration filed a lawsuit against the president and other senior U.S. officials, arguing the imposed measures were unlawful. The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes individuals accused of the most severe atrocities, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

systematically disable the ICC's ability to operate, target American servicemen or officials, or otherwise threaten American sovereignty

— US State DepartmentThe US State Department outlined the intended actions of its campaign against the ICC.
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Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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