ICC condemns U.S. sanctions against its officials

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly condemned an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump imposing punitive sanctions on its officials, calling it an attack on the court’s independence and impartiality.

The executive order, issued on Thursday, threatens “tangible and significant consequences” for ICC officials involved in investigations deemed a risk to U.S. national security or its allies, including Israel.

It follows the ICC’s November decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza, alongside a warrant for former Hamas commander Mohammed Deif.

The U.S. and Israel do not recognise the ICC’s jurisdiction, though 125 countries are parties to the Rome Statute, which established the court in 2002.

The U.S. order warns that ICC actions against Israel and preliminary probes into U.S. personnel “set a dangerous precedent” and could endanger American and allied officials.

Potential sanctions include asset freezes, property seizures, and entry bans for ICC officials and their families.

A similar effort to impose sanctions against the ICC in January stalled in the U.S. Senate.

In a statement, the ICC denounced the move, vowing to stand by its personnel and continue delivering justice to victims of atrocities worldwide.

It urged international partners, civil society, and member states to unite in defense of justice and fundamental human rights. (NAN)