ICC Condemns US Sanctions Against Judges as Threat to Justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has voiced its "deploration" over new sanctions levied by the United States against its judges and prosecutors, calling the move a direct assault on its independence. The US State Department announced these sanctions on two judges and two prosecutors involved in prosecuting American and Israeli citizens for alleged war crimes.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ICC as a "national security threat," accusing it of functioning as an "instrument of lawfare" targeting the US and its ally, Israel. This stance has garnered support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the sanctions as a robust response to what he termed a "mendacious smear campaign" against Israel, especially following the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants against him and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Condemnation of the US sanctions has also come from France, with their foreign ministry expressing dismay, particularly given that one of the sanctioned judges, Nicolas Guillou, is French. The other targeted officials include Canadian judge Kimberly Prost, deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan from Fiji, and Mame Mandiaye Niang from Senegal. Rubio characterized the ICC's actions as "politicisation and abuse of power," justifying the sanctions that prevent the four officials from accessing any US-held properties or interests.

The sanctions build upon previous measures imposed earlier this year against the ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan KC, and four judges. In response to the sanctions, the UN's human rights chief has called for their reevaluation, asserting that such actions undermine the respect for the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the US has also sanctioned Francesca Albanese, a UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur and vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, linking her to the ICC's dealings. Albanese reaffirmed her support for the ICC on social media, emphasizing her commitment to the values of justice and accountability that the court represents.