DistantNews
Support us
ICC Warns US Sanctions Against President 'Undermine' Rule of Law
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

ICC Warns US Sanctions Against President 'Undermine' Rule of Law

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The International Criminal Court (ICC) warned that U.S. sanctions against its president, Tomoko Akane, and a prosecutor undermine the rule of law and international legal order.
  • The ICC stated that threatening judicial actors for applying the law jeopardizes the international legal system.
  • The sanctions are part of Washington's pressure campaign against the ICC over its investigations into Israel and Afghanistan, which the U.S. and Israel reject as outside the court's jurisdiction.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a strong warning that new U.S. sanctions against its president, Tomoko Akane, and a senior prosecutor, Abdoulaye Seye, "undermine the rule of law" and jeopardize the international legal order. The Hague-based tribunal stated that threatening judicial officials for carrying out their duties puts the entire international legal system at risk.

When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is put at risk.

— ICCThe International Criminal Court's statement on the U.S. sanctions.

These measures, imposed by the Trump administration, are part of a broader U.S. campaign to pressure the ICC. Washington objects to the court's investigations, particularly those related to Israel's actions in Gaza and alleged crimes in Afghanistan. The U.S. has rejected the ICC's jurisdiction over its citizens and those of its allies, such as Israel, neither of which are states parties to the Rome Statute.

The ICC reiterated its commitment to independence and impartiality, vowing not to be intimidated. The court emphasized its continued support for its personnel and victims of atrocities. This stance mirrors its reaction to previous sanctions imposed on other ICC judges and prosecutors.

Measures directed against judges, prosecutors and staff working to fulfill the mandate entrusted to the ICC by the States undermine the rule of law.

— ICCThe ICC's reaction to the U.S. sanctions against its officials.

In February of the previous year, President Trump signed an executive order enabling economic measures and restrictions against individuals involved in specific ICC investigations. The U.S. specifically opposes the 2024 arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza offensive. The ICC, however, asserts its jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed within the territory of a state party or recognized by the Court, as in the case of Palestine.

The Court will not be intimidated and maintains its firm support for its staff and for victims of unimaginable atrocities.

— ICCThe ICC's commitment to its work despite U.S. pressure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog