The International Criminal Court (ICC) has voiced strong objections to newly imposed sanctions by the United States, which target two of its judges and two prosecutors. The US State Department made the announcement on Wednesday, indicating that these individuals were being penalized for their involvement in pursuing legal actions against American and Israeli citizens.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the ICC as a "national security threat" and denounced it as a "tool of lawfare" utilized against the US and Israel. This pronouncement comes as significant political tension escalates, particularly with the ICC's ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, during the conflict in Gaza.
The ICC criticized the sanctions as a "flagrant attack" on its autonomy and impartiality, asserting that such measures undermine the international legal framework and violate the rights of countless innocent individuals worldwide. France, whose own judge Nicolas Guillou was sanctioned, also expressed disapproval of the US decision, stating it contradicts the principles of judicial independence.
The US sanctions have resulted in the freezing of any assets the sanctioned judges and prosecutors may have within the US. The announcement follows previous sanctions imposed earlier this year against ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and other judicial officials.
Reactions to the sanctions have been polarized, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praising the US for its firm stance against perceived unwarranted actions by the ICC. He described the sanctions as a defense against what he terms a "false smear campaign" targeting Israel.
In a related context, the UN human rights chief has urged the United States to reconsider its sanctions on the ICC judges, asserting that they run contrary to the principles of upholding the rule of law. This situation continues to evolve, with significant implications for international justice and diplomatic relations among affected nations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the ICC as a "national security threat" and denounced it as a "tool of lawfare" utilized against the US and Israel. This pronouncement comes as significant political tension escalates, particularly with the ICC's ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, during the conflict in Gaza.
The ICC criticized the sanctions as a "flagrant attack" on its autonomy and impartiality, asserting that such measures undermine the international legal framework and violate the rights of countless innocent individuals worldwide. France, whose own judge Nicolas Guillou was sanctioned, also expressed disapproval of the US decision, stating it contradicts the principles of judicial independence.
The US sanctions have resulted in the freezing of any assets the sanctioned judges and prosecutors may have within the US. The announcement follows previous sanctions imposed earlier this year against ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and other judicial officials.
Reactions to the sanctions have been polarized, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praising the US for its firm stance against perceived unwarranted actions by the ICC. He described the sanctions as a defense against what he terms a "false smear campaign" targeting Israel.
In a related context, the UN human rights chief has urged the United States to reconsider its sanctions on the ICC judges, asserting that they run contrary to the principles of upholding the rule of law. This situation continues to evolve, with significant implications for international justice and diplomatic relations among affected nations.
