The International Criminal Court says it will continue investigating and prosecuting serious international crimes despite sweeping US sanctions aimed at pressuring the tribunal.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has vowed to continue its work despite sanctions imposed by the United States, describing the measures as an attempt to obstruct justice and undermine the rule of law.
The sanctions, announced on Friday, 9 October, target the court as an institution following earlier US measures against 13 of its judges and prosecutors.
In a statement, ICC President Tomoko Akane said the sanctions were intended to disrupt the court’s operations and intimidate its staff and those cooperating with it.
However, she insisted that the tribunal would not be deterred from carrying out its responsibilities.
“The Court will continue to fully discharge its mandate, with independence and impartiality, acting only on the basis of the law and the evidence,” Akane said.
The court is mandated to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
The latest US action marks an escalation in Washington’s campaign against the tribunal, which has faced criticism from the administration of President Donald Trump over its investigations involving Americans and US allies, including Israel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration would not allow the ICC to prosecute American citizens.
“Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC,” Rubio said, urging US allies to take action against the court.
He added that the sanctions had been structured to allow room for negotiations and a possible resolution of Washington’s concerns.
ICC calls for international support
Akane called on the court’s 125 member states to take concrete steps to ensure it has the resources required to continue its work despite the sanctions.
She warned that the dispute extended beyond the future of the ICC, raising fundamental questions about the international community’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.
“This is not just about defending a single institution, but about safeguarding the international order grounded upon the rule of law,” she said.
The court also stressed that its ability to operate depended on continued cooperation and support from the countries that established it.
The United States is not a member of the ICC.
Sanctions can restrict financial transactions and business dealings involving designated individuals or institutions. They may also create difficulties in accessing financial services, technology and other essential resources.
The measures could therefore place additional pressure on the court and organisations that work with it.
Despite the potential challenges, the ICC said it had taken steps with its member states to strengthen the continuity of its operations.
Akane warned that those serving the cause of justice should not be punished for carrying out their responsibilities.
She added that future generations, particularly victims of mass atrocities, would judge how the international community responded to the pressure facing an institution established to protect them.
The court’s position sets the stage for a further confrontation between Washington and the international judicial body over the limits of national power and the role of international justice.
