ICC Criticises US Sanctions, Vows Commitment To Justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue its judicial work after US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose sanctions on its staff.

The ICC said it “stands firmly” by its personnel and would continue to provide “justice and hope”, adding the order seeks to harm its “independent and impartial” work.

Trump’s order accuses it of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”.

“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 sanctions place financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations of American citizens or allies.

Judges at the court said there were “reasonable grounds” that Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif of Hamas bore criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a global court with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The US and Israel are not members of the court but more than 120 countries are, including the UK and many European nations.

The Netherlands, which hosts the court, said it “regrets” Trump’s order.

“The court’s work is essential in the fight against impunity,” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on X.

A White House memo circulated on Thursday accused the Hague-based ICC of creating a “shameful moral equivalency” between Hamas and Israel by issuing the warrants at the same time.

Trump’s executive order said the ICC’s recent actions “set a dangerous precedent” that endangered Americans by exposing them to “harassment, abuse and possible arrest”.

BBC/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma