ICC decries latest US sanctions as ‘flagrant attack’ on court’s independence

The United States has recently imposed sanctions on key figures within the International Criminal Court (ICC), branding it as a "flagrant attack" on the court's independence. The ICC's president, Tomoko Akane, a Japanese citizen, and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye from Senegal were singled out for the punitive measures, which freeze any assets held within US jurisdictions or linked to the US financial system.

This follows a broader Trump administration campaign to dismantle the ICC's influence, targeting a total of nine out of the court's 18 judges, two deputy prosecutors, the former chief prosecutor, and a single staff member.

The United States accuses the ICC of overstepping its mandate by investigating and pursuing senior officials from countries not part of the court, including Israel and the United States. In response, the ICC has vowed to continue its mission with utmost independence and impartiality, asserting that threats to its judges undermine the global legal order.

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ICC as a "corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court" and called for its withdrawal from the institution, urging member states to sanction entities associated with it and bar staff from traveling to the United States. This has led to several countries, including Venezuela and Chad, announcing their intention to leave the court, with the formal process taking a year.

The sanctions affect the daily lives of ICC officials, including restrictions on travel to the US and limitations on access to basic financial services. For instance, Canadian judge Kimberly Prost faced the loss of her credit cards and difficulties using Amazon's Alexa after being sanctioned. The ICC's oversight body, the assembly of states parties, termed the sanctions as an "escalation" that risks impeding ongoing investigations and global efforts to ensure justice for victims of atrocities.

Japan's foreign ministry, representing Japan's support for the ICC, expressed disappointment over the sanctions and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law while maintaining communication with relevant countries.