International Criminal Court Denounces U.S. Sanctions as Attack on Judicial Independence

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly criticized a new executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump imposing sanctions on court officials. The ICC argues that the move is an attempt to undermine its “independent and impartial judicial work.”

The ICC, established by the Rome Statute under United Nations negotiations, operates independently to prosecute serious crimes, including crimes against humanity.

The executive order, issued Thursday, states that the U.S. will impose “tangible and significant consequences” on ICC officials involved in investigations deemed a threat to U.S. national security or that of its allies, including Israel.

The sanctions follow ICC judges’ decision in November to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes related to the conflict in Gaza. A warrant was also issued for former Hamas commander Mohammed Deif.

Neither the U.S. nor Israel recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, though 125 countries are parties to the Rome Statute, which came into force in 2002.

According to the executive order, the ICC’s actions against Israel and preliminary investigations involving the U.S. “set a dangerous precedent, directly endangering current and former” American personnel. The order allows for sanctions such as freezing ICC officials’ assets and barring them and their families from entering the U.S.

A prior attempt by the U.S. Congress in January to impose similar sanctions failed to gain enough support in the Senate.

“The ICC condemns the issuance by the US of an Executive Order seeking to impose sanctions on its officials and harm its independent and impartial judicial work,” the court said in a press release.

“The Court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world, in all Situations before it.”

The ICC also urged its member states, civil society groups, and other nations to “stand united for justice and fundamental human rights.”