ICC President Denounces U.S. Sanctions on Court Staff Amid Political Tensions

International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane voiced her profound regret over an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump that authorizes sanctions against ICC staff. In her statement, Akane criticized the order, describing it as part of a series of actions that not only jeopardize the independence of the Court's judicial function but also undermine the international order based on the rule of law. She warned that these kinds of coercive measures threaten both the safety of ICC personnel and the millions of victims affected by crimes under the Court’s mandate.

The executive order allows the U.S. government to implement measures such as asset freezes and travel bans on ICC employees and their family members. This step comes as a direct response to the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in November 2024. Akane reiterated the importance of the Court remaining above political pressures and emphasized that any attempt to sway its impartial judicial investigations would be firmly rejected.

Additionally, a coalition of 79 out of 125 ICC member states issued a collective statement condemning the sanctions. The joint statement highlighted that these punitive measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes, potentially hinder ongoing investigations, and compromise the safety of those involved in the judicial process. While several major countries such as Britain, France, Germany, and Canada stood in solidarity with the condemnation, Japan notably did not endorse the joint statement.