The world leader responds to Trump’s sanctions at the International Criminal Court | ICC News
The countries condemn US sanctions on the ICC who cite impunity for serious crimes and weakening of international law.
Donald Trump’s decision to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) increases the “risk of impunity” for serious crimes, 79 global court parties said.
In a statement On Friday, a group of 79 countries-two-thirds of Court membership-have been supporting my support to the ICC and said that sanctions will weaken international law after Trump signed an executive command sanctioning Court to investigate Israel.
“Such measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threatens to disrupt the international rule of law, which is crucial to promoting global order and security,” said Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Sierra Leone and Vanuatu.
They were joined by dozens of other nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil and Bangladesh.
“Today, the court is facing unprecedented challenges,” the statement warned, after Trump ordered the freezing of property and a ban on travel against ICC officials, employees and their families, along with all of which were considered to have helped the court’s investigations .
“Sanctions could endanger the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved, including victims, witnesses and judicial servants, many of whom are our nationals. As a strong supporters of the ICC, we regret all attempts to undermine independence, integrity and impartiality of the court. “
Although they have long since set up as the guarantor of an international order promoting human rights and the rule of law, this has often been powered by the efforts of international bodies at the test of alleged abuse of the USA of its allies.
In an executive order that imposes sanctions, Trump’s administration said she would bring “tangible and significant consequences” for “illegitimate and unfounded actions aiming at America and our close ally.”
While Trump is the first US president to sanction the ICC, his democratic predecessor Joe Biden also considered use of sanctions to punish the court for exploring Israel.
In November, ICC issued Arrest warrants For the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoava Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, where Israel made a campaign for burnt land that killed thousands, leveled the whole neighborhood, displaced millions of people and included a wide disorder of humanitarian aid.
At least 61,000 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks, most of women and children, which is expected to increase significantly while rescue workers search through the ruins For undiscovered bodies.
ICC also issued orders for arresting the leaders of the Palestinian Armed Group Hamas for alleged war crimes committed during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
“Trump’s international criminal court sanctions have now placed on the side of war criminals at the expense of victims,” said Omar Shakir, director of Israel-Palestine in Human Rights Watch. “The sanctions are for the perpetrators – not those who work on the account. States should defend the ICC to do their job: to ensure that no one is above the law. “
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said his country would seek to ensure that the ICC headquartered in The Hague can continue to act despite the announced US sanctions.
“Of course, as a host state, we have a responsibility to guarantee an smooth functioning of the Criminal Court at all times. And we will continue to do so,” Schoof told reporters, describing the move as a “disturbing signal and very sorry” with potentially “significant implications” on ICC independence -Ii permanent investigation.
“The Netherlands stands at the International Criminal Court. We will still support him. We are the host country. We are proud of the Netherlands and also on The Hague as a city for peace and justice. ICC is an explicit part of it. And we will do everything we can we would ensure that ICC can fulfill its tasks. “
