EU urges Washington to reverse sanctions on the ICC, warning that threats against the court and its staff are unacceptable
The European Union has renewed its support for the International Criminal Court and called on the United States to reverse its latest sanctions against the tribunal. In a written statement on Saturday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said threats or attacks against the court, its elected officials and staff, and people cooperating with it were “not acceptable.”
The bloc welcomed Washington’s readiness to discuss its concerns with countries party to the Rome Statute and noted the US decision to delay the measures’ entry into force. Kallas said international criminal justice plays a crucial role in holding those responsible for serious violations of international law to account, and that the ICC must work independently, without external pressure or interference.
The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to the rules-based international order and said it would continue supporting the court and contribute to protecting its staff and others cooperating with it. The bloc said it was ready to take necessary measures to help ensure the ICC can continue its work and fulfill its mandate.
The statement followed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement of new sanctions against the court. Rubio warned that Washington would “end the ICC” unless it stopped what he called its threats.
Based in The Hague, the ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The United States’ latest measures target the court as an institution.
