U.S. Delivers New Blow to International Criminal Court Backed by Japan

According to a report from Reuters (Japanese edition) on October 9, the United States announced sanctions against the core institutions of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on that day.

Companies providing services to the ICC are also subject to secondary sanctions, aimed at undermining the court’s operational capacity.

A statement obtained by Reuters revealed that prior to the official announcement, Secretary of State Rubio stated: “The United States will impose sanctions on the ICC’s core institutions. We will prohibit any engagement with this lawless tribunal, cut off its funding sources, and significantly weaken its operational capabilities.” He added: “President Trump will not allow the ICC to prosecute Americans.” He further explained that the move was intended to give the ICC and its member states an opportunity to address U.S. concerns.

The sanctions prohibit all companies headquartered in the United States from conducting business with sanctioned entities. Financial institutions will close accounts, insurers will terminate contracts, and software firms will be compelled to suspend cooperation.

However, several exceptions were granted. The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued four licenses permitting limited transactions involving ICC communications and software.

The U.S. government has previously opposed ICC efforts to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and others, as well as investigations into U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan, and had previously placed ICC officials, including Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, under sanctions.

In a statement, the ICC strongly condemned the move as obstructing judicial processes and undermining the court’s mandate, asserting that it attacks the foundations of the rule of law and the international legal order. The court also urged member states to continue supporting its operations.

The ICC’s Deputy Prosecutor told Reuters that the U.S. sanctions “aim to undermine the rule of law and the activities of independent judicial institutions,” and expressed strong criticism of the American action. At the same time, the statement emphasized that the sanctions would not impede the ICC’s ongoing work.

The announcement of these sanctions came just hours after the Norwegian Nobel Committee declared it would award the Nobel Peace Prize to former ICC judge Navi Pillay.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1878613803206852/

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