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The International Criminal Court (ICC) warned this Thursday that United States sanctions against members of the court “may seriously hinder ongoing investigations” into serious crimes in different countries and “would affect the security” of victims, witnesses and sanctioned individuals. .
In a statement, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, stressed its “deep concern” about the sanctions against staff, individuals and entities that assist the court “in the investigation, arrest, detention or prosecution of certain persons.”
“Sanctions can seriously hamper ongoing investigations in all situations and other activities of the Court, in addition to affecting the safety of victims, witnesses and sanctioned individuals. The Bureau regrets any attempt to undermine the independence, integrity and impartiality of the Court,” added the Bureau, which has a representative character and assists the Assembly in the fulfillment of its responsibilities.
Furthermore, it noted its commitment to “defend and support the principles and values enshrined” in the Rome Statute, and “preserve its integrity without being intimidated by threats or measures against the Court, its officials, its staff and those who cooperate with it.” .
Several officials of the Court admitted to EFE their concern about the impact that sanctions issued by the United States against the ICC could have, and they emphasize being aware of the scope of the measures that are taken because they could affect a group of officials, or the institution. in its entirety.
“The Rome Statute represents an international commitment to end impunity for the most serious crimes that concern the entire international community. Safeguarding the integrity of the Court, including its judicial and fiscal independence, is essential to successfully fulfill its mandate to ensure accountability for such crimes and provide equal justice to victims,” the ICC added today.
One of Donald Trump’s first decisions after taking office last Monday was to annul an executive order from his predecessor, Joe Biden, which revoked a Trump decision in 2020 with sanctions against ICC officials when the court was examining alleged war crimes. committed in Afghanistan, which also included US troops.
But now it is Israel that is urging Trump to sanction the ICC for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza, as part of an investigation into the situation in Palestine, which also includes alleged crimes committed by Palestinian groups such as Hamas.
Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives passed a bill – now in the hands of the US Senate – to impose sanctions and cut funding to the ICC over the Israel investigation.
It is not clear what those sanctions will look like, but a light variant that, for example, prevents American companies from providing services to the ICC, would have major effects on the functioning of the court, since they would not be able to use software or payment systems.
Neither Israel nor the United States are members of the ICC, although Washington has cooperated with this court for investigations such as that of war crimes in Ukraine, which led to the issuance of an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, but It withdrew that support when investigations targeted its Israeli ally for war crimes in Gaza.
By EFE
