The International Criminal Court (ICC), has rejected United States sanctions targeting its officials, saying, “these sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates pursuant to the mandate conferred by its States Parties from across regions. ”
The US had on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Tomoko Akane, the ICC president from Japan, Abdoulaye Seye, a senior Senegalese trial lawyer, for policing the court.
“These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction,” Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said in a statement.
Washington’s sanctions are largely seen as retaliation against the court’s investigations targeting Israel, a US ally.
Reacting in a statement, the ICC said ” Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff who work towards the fulfilment of the mandate that was conferred to the ICC by States undermine the rule of law. ”
The statement added that ” When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk. Threats and coercive measures also impact the ability of victims to seek justice, as they turn to the Court when all other avenues have been exhausted.”
The ICC expressed firmed commitment in discharging it mandate, vowing to remain undeterred in the interest of victims of international crimes.
” The ICC values the consistent demonstrations of solidarity of States Parties, civil society and all those who support the rule of law and justice for the victims of international crimes. The Court will continue its work, with all partners and with the unwavering support of its States Parties, to ensure the effective and independent implementation of its mandate”. The statement said
