EU backs top international court against onslaught from Trump and Rubio
Judges must be able to work “independently and without external pressure,” said the European Commission president.
European Union leaders have rallied behind the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid pressure from the United States. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa issued a joint statement on Wednesday, expressing their unwavering support for the court and its president, Tomoko Akane, and officials who uphold its mission.
The two EU officials condemned the recent sanctions imposed by the U.S., which targeted Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, accusing the ICC of unfairly targeting officials from countries that reject its jurisdiction. The ICC asserts jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed in Palestinian territories, even though neither Israel nor the U.S. are members of the court.
EU Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera added her voice to the condemnation, describing the sanctions as "profoundly sad and unfair." The EU reaffirmed its commitment to the ICC and its independence, stating that the judges and officials must be able to work independently without external pressure. Germany, the Netherlands, and the ICC itself have also expressed solidarity with the court, calling the sanctions a "flagrant attack" on its independence and undermining the rule of law.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
