Alarm at UN over sanctions threatened by US on international criminal court
Group calls for proper enforcement of ICC rulings as Trump administration widens attacks on court
TL;DR
- Countries at the UN have rallied to defend international law against US sanctions threats on the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- South Africa's foreign minister warned that US sanctions could disrupt the ICC's operations and undermine judicial independence.
- The US has previously sanctioned ICC judges and prosecutors and is reportedly planning broader sanctions against the institution itself.
- The Dutch government is actively trying to dissuade the US, stressing the importance of universal application of international law.
- Concerns were raised about the selective application of international law by Western powers, which some argue is a greater threat than open defiance.
- The US administration, including former President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has publicly criticized the ICC, accusing it of being politically motivated and exceeding its mandate.