According to a report by The Associated Press on October 10, the Trump administration has imposed a new round of comprehensive sanctions against the International Criminal Court. This is part of its efforts to dismantle the court, as it conducts investigations into the United States and its allies, including Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio announced this sanctions decision on Friday.
"We will prohibit dealings with this unconstrained court, severing its resources and stripping it of the capacity to take action against us. The United States and American people are not under the jurisdiction of this illegitimate international criminal court."
These sanctions will cut off the International Criminal Court’s access to services provided by American financial and technology companies, and even prohibit them from using the US dollar. The sanctions require American companies and individuals that have business dealings with the court to gradually terminate such transactions within six months.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu wrote on social media platform X: "I commend President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio for making the crucial decision to sanction the International Criminal Court. The International Criminal Court is not a court, but a political institution that poses a deadly threat to democratic countries around the world that abide by the law, as well as the concept of national sovereignty itself. Thank you for your leadership."
According to Reuters, the International Criminal Court responded that the sanctions are an attempt to obstruct the judicial process and prevent the International Criminal Court from fulfilling its duties as established. This is an attack on the foundations of the rule of law and the international legal order, challenging a simple principle that no one should be above the law.
This punitive measure decision is aimed at disrupting court operations, and intimidating those involved in the work or cooperation with the courts. The court will not retreat in the face of this. However, the court cannot stand alone to confront such a situation. Now, the fate of the court rests in the hands of the countries that created it.
United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Diachak read a statement at a press conference stating: “The Secretary-General of the United Nations condemned the US announcement of sanctions against the International Criminal Court.” The statement also noted: “Today's decision severely undermines our efforts to promote international criminal justice, and the International Criminal Court is a critical pillar of these endeavors.”
The European Union Commission said: "The United States has announced its intention to impose sanctions, which we regret deeply. ... The EU is prepared at any time to take all necessary measures to ensure that the International Criminal Court can continue its work on investigating and prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, while also protecting the interests of businesses operating in the single European market."
Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement: "As staunch supporters of the International Criminal Court, we regret the United States' announcement of sanctions against the Court and strongly oppose this decision. …… If these sanctions are implemented, they will have a significant impact on the work of the Court, its dedicated staff, and their families. …… We will continue to unite in our support for the International Criminal Court and strive for constructive and inclusive dialogue with non-participating states."
