The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denounced the United States for imposing sanctions on its president, Judge Tomoko Akane, and its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, calling the measures an unprecedented attack on the institution's independence and a threat to global justice.
Sanctions Imposed by the Trump Administration
The sanctions, announced by the Trump administration on Thursday, freeze any assets the two officials may hold in the United States and bar them from entering the country. The US Treasury Department stated that the measures were taken in response to what it described as "illegitimate and baseless" investigations by the ICC into US personnel and allies, including Israel.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ICC said it "strongly condemns" the sanctions, which it described as "a serious attack on the International Criminal Court, the rule of law, and international justice." The court added that the measures "undermine the ability of the ICC to carry out its independent and impartial mandate."
International Reaction and Support for the ICC
The sanctions have drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups, European allies, and legal experts. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the bloc "rejects any attempt to undermine the ICC's independence and integrity." Borrell added that the EU "stands firmly with the ICC and its officials."
According to a statement from the ICC, the sanctions "represent a serious escalation of pressure on the court" and are intended to "obstruct its work." The court noted that it continues to operate and will not be deterred from pursuing its mandate to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes of international concern, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Impact on ICC Operations and Legal Proceedings
The sanctions are expected to complicate the ICC's investigations, particularly those involving US allies. The court's ability to travel, access financial resources, and cooperate with international partners may be hindered. However, the ICC has stated that it will take all necessary measures to ensure its operations continue without interruption.
Judge Akane, a Japanese jurist who has served as ICC president since 2024, and Khan, a British barrister who became chief prosecutor in 2021, are both subject to the sanctions. The US Treasury Department said the sanctions target individuals who "have engaged in actions that threaten the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, has 123 member states. The United States is not a member and has long opposed the court's jurisdiction over its citizens and allies. The sanctions are the latest in a series of US actions against the ICC, including previous measures imposed during the first Trump administration in 2020.
