Seventy-eight nations have issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the Trump administration imposed sanctions against the court and its officials.
The US government imposed the sanctions after the ICC issued an arrest warrant last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The US and Israel are not members of the court and do not recognise its authority.
The statement, endorsed by countries including Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, State of Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vanuatu, was released in response to what the Trump administration called “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel.”
“We, the undersigned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC,” the joint statement said. “The Court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims.”
The statement also addressed the sanctions imposed by the US.
“Today, the Court is facing unprecedented challenges. Measures sanctioning the Court, its officials and staff, and those cooperating with it have been adopted in response to the Court carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Rome Statute,” the statement continued. “Such measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law, which is crucial for promoting global order and security. Moreover, sanctions could jeopardize the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved—including victims, witnesses, and Court officials, many of whom are our nationals.”
The statement went on to say that sanctions would severely undermine all situations currently under investigation as the Court may have to close its field offices, and that advancing the ICC’s vital work serves a common interest in promoting accountability, as evidenced by support for the Court from both States Parties and non-States Parties.
“As strong supporters of the ICC, we regret any attempts to undermine the Court’s independence, integrity and impartiality. We are committed to ensuring the ICC’s business continuity so that the Court can continue to carry out its functions effectively and independently,” the statement concluded.
The International Criminal Court on Friday called on member states to stand up against sanctions imposed by the U.S., describing the action as an attempt to harm an indispensable global court to administer justice and protect the lives of millions of innocent people.
