International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane called on all 193 United Nations member states to defend the court, not only the 125 countries that are members of the ICC. Speaking remotely to the UN General Assembly on Monday, she urged governments to take “concrete measures, individually and collectively” in its support. US sanctions prompted her to address the assembly remotely, she said.
The Trump-administration/">Trump administration has imposed sanctions on ICC officials and, last month, extended its measures to target the court itself. The campaign is linked to investigations involving the United States and its allies, including Israel, according to the report. Akane said the measures threaten judges, prosecutors and the institution.
Akane pointed to the announcement of broad new sanctions on October 9, the same day South African jurist Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge, received the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. “The contrast could not be more evident,” Akane said, describing global recognition of international justice alongside an attempt to subdue the institution that represents it.
The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide when countries are unwilling or unable to do so. The United States is not a member of the court.
The US State Department did not immediately comment on Akane’s remarks. When announcing the latest sanctions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would prohibit transactions with the court, cut its resources and impair its ability to act against the country.
Akane said the ICC would continue to carry out its mandate independently and impartially, based on law and evidence, on behalf of victims of serious crimes. The European Union and other supporters also spoke at the UN General Assembly in strong support of the court and its work seeking justice for the gravest crimes against humanity.
Sources: G1.