ICC President Condemns Sanctions as Assault on International Law
The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warned the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that coercion and sanctions against the court represent ”attacks against the very principles of international law.” The statement came during a debate on the ICC’s annual report, specifically in response to sanctions imposed by the United States earlier this year on ICC judges and prosecutors.
These sanctions were triggered by the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav gallant, alleging war crimes committed in Gaza. The sanctions can include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on financial access within the United States.
The ICC president emphasized that the court was founded on the principle of “universal justice,” but acknowledged its mission remains incomplete. While the court has spent over two decades challenging impunity and demonstrating accountability even “in the darkest of times,” ongoing atrocities highlight the notable work that remains.
She stressed the critical importance of international cooperation for investigations, arrests, and enforcing court orders, alongside the need for the court’s independence to ensure impartial prosecution under the Rome Statute. However, she noted the ICC has faced intentional interference, including sanctions against officials upholding the rule of law and cyberattacks aimed at undermining its credibility. These actions, she stated, are “deliberate attacks…with the aim of weakening the rule of law and eroding trust in international institutions.”
A resolution before the General Assembly affirms the need for ICC officials to operate “without intimidation” and condemns any threats or interference against the court,its staff,or those who cooperate with it.
judge Tomoko Akane, the ICC president, further emphasized that the court’s rulings demonstrate that justice “transcends borders and interests,” but warned that pressuring, threatening, or undermining judges weakens the foundation of international law itself. She highlighted that continued attacks and coercive measures pose a serious threat to the ICC’s ability to deliver justice and combat impunity globally.
Akane outlined the court’s achievements and challenges, urging member states to defend the international legal system. She cited ongoing cases in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Israel, but underscored that executing arrest warrants relies entirely on state cooperation.
Akane highlighted the ICC’s commitment to victims, noting that over 18,000 have participated in cases this year. She emphasized the importance of reparations, pointing to the Trust Fund for Victims, which has provided tangible financial redress to nearly 50,000 victims of war crimes in Uganda as a powerful example of the court giving victims a voice and seeking accountability.
