EU stands firm on ICC support amid US dismantling push

EU vows to shield court from attacks

European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said on Tuesday that the bloc's position on the International Criminal Court remained unchanged after Washington announced a campaign to dismantle the global tribunal, stressing Brussels' commitment to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity. El Anouni told a daily press briefing: "Our position remains unchanged and very clear. We, as European Union, we stand firm in our support for the International Criminal Court," adding that the EU respects the court's independence and impartiality.

He stated that attempts to undermine the institution were unacceptable, saying: "Attacks or threats against the court, elected officials, personnel, or those cooperating with the court, are simply not acceptable." El Anouni also rejected suggestions that the ICC threatened national sovereignty, noting the court exercises jurisdiction over individuals accused of the most serious international crimes rather than targeting states. "And let us also recall that the ICC does not target sovereign states, nor does it constitute a threat to their sovereignty ... the ICC exercises jurisdiction over individuals perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community," he said.

Brussels pledges diplomatic and financial backing

Commission spokesperson Siobhan McGarry said the EU executive remains firmly committed to supporting the ICC as a cornerstone of international criminal justice and safeguarding its independence. "The commission is remains firmly committed to supporting the International Criminal Court as a cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice and to safeguarding its independence and proper functioning," McGarry said, adding that Brussels is facilitating diplomatic, legal and financial measures to ensure the court's continuity.

McGarry noted the Commission is assessing possible steps in coordination with the court, EU member states and other partners, carefully considering necessity, proportionality and legal implications for each measure. The spokesperson said the EU continues to support the ICC's investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the briefing transcript.

US campaign follows Gaza war crimes warrants

The ICC was established under the 1998 Rome Statute to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression. In November 2024, the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip, prompting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to launch the dismantling campaign on Monday on grounds that the tribunal interferes with American sovereignty and operations.