Reference News Network August 21 report, according to AFP August 20, the United States announced on August 20 sanctions against four additional judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court, including judicial personnel from allied countries such as France and Canada. This is the latest move by the United States to hinder the operations of the court, particularly regarding actions involving Israel.

Secretary of State Rubio stated in a statement: "The court has become a tool for a 'legal battle' against the United States and our close ally Israel, posing a threat to our national security."

Rubio said that the four sanctioned individuals from the International Criminal Court attempted to investigate and prosecute U.S. or Israeli citizens without the consent of the United States and Israel.

The report states that among the four are French judge Nicolas Guieu, who was the presiding judge in the case of issuing an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Netanyahu welcomed the U.S. sanction decision on August 20. The office of Netanyahu stated in a statement: "I would like to congratulate Secretary of State Rubio on the decision to impose sanctions on judges of the International Criminal Court. This is a decisive measure against the smear campaign against the State of Israel and its army."

According to EFE news agency August 20, the International Criminal Court condemned the U.S. sanction decision as an "open violation of the independence of a fair judicial institution" and warned that it would not retreat due to these "pressure or threats."

The International Criminal Court emphasized in its statement that it firmly supports its staff and victims who have suffered unimaginable atrocities, and will "not be deterred by any restrictions, pressures or threats," continuing to fulfill its duties.

EFE also reported that France expressed "shock" on August 20 at the U.S. decision to approve sanctions against two judges (including one French judge) and two deputy prosecutors of the International Criminal Court.

According to a statement by a spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France called on the Washington government to revoke all measures taken against the International Criminal Court based on the presidential order issued in February this year, and considered these measures "an infringement on the International Criminal Court and the 125 contracting states of the Rome Statute, and violates the principle of judicial independence."

The French statement emphasized Paris's firm support for the International Criminal Court and its staff, pointing out that "the institution plays a vital role in combating impunity."

Translation/Urmei, Han Chao

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7540955993144967714/

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