US sanctions entire ICC for first time
THE HAGUE – The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an institution for the first time, escalating a campaign against the tribunal over cases involving American and Israeli officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the court must end its threats or face being dismantled.
What the sanctions do
The measures freeze any ICC assets in US jurisdiction and give American firms and individuals six months to wind down dealings with the court. Shortly after the announcement, the Treasury issued four general licences covering ICC telecommunications, software, pension payments and detainee-related transactions. Earlier sanctions targeted 13 ICC judges and prosecutors. Rubio said Washington had delayed the designation for more than a year, hoping the court and its members would address US concerns.
Court hits back
The ICC rejected the move as an assault on international law and warned that history will judge this moment. ICC President Tomoko Akane urged member states to defend the court, which has 125 members but not the United States, Russia, China, India or Israel.
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Global reaction
The European Union said it was ready to act to keep the court working, while the ICC Registrar urged use of the bloc's blocking mechanism. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen called the decision deeply regrettable, and UN human rights chief Volker Türk called it unacceptable. Human Rights Watch said Washington aims to destroy the court. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the decision. The sanctions came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
