Seventy-nine countries have condemned the sanctions announced by US President Donald Trump against the International Criminal Court (ICC), warning that they increase the risk of impunity worldwide.
In a joint statement, the 79 signatories denounced the sanctions against ICC directors and employees, accusing Trump of engaging in "illegal actions." The sanctions specifically target the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel, whose Prime Minister is subject to an arrest warrant.
The statement emphasizes that these measures "increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to undermine the rule of international law, which is crucial to promoting order and security in the world."
The signatories, including Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, South Africa, France, Germany, Canada, Chile, and Panama, among others, argue that the sanctions "would seriously undermine all the cases under investigation, as the court could be forced to close its offices in the field."
The countries reaffirm their "continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity" of the ICC, a "vital pillar" of international justice.
The United States, Israel, and Russia are not among the 124 member states of the ICC, a permanent jurisdiction established in 2002 to prosecute and try individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.