France defends ICC after US claims court threatens sovereignty
01:29, 17/07/2026, FridayU: Update: 09:08, 17/07/2026, Friday
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File PhotoFrench Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told reporters Thursday that Paris would continue backing the Hague-based tribunal despite Washington's assertion that the court endangers national sovereignty, insisting that the ICC prosecutes individuals rather than governments for the world's most serious crimes.
France's Foreign Ministry on Thursday reaffirmed its support for the International Criminal Court, rejecting US claims that the Hague-based tribunal threatens national sovereignty. Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told reporters the court prosecutes individuals for serious crimes rather than governments.
Paris defends tribunal's mandate
Confavreux emphasized that Paris would maintain its position backing the court's resilience and its fight against impunity. “This does not change France’s position of support for the International Criminal Court, its resilience, and its fight against impunity and the most serious crimes,” he said. He added that attacks and threats against ICC staff were “unacceptable.”
Washington challenges court authority
The French comments came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the ICC, saying it threatened American sovereignty. Rubio announced that Washington would encourage other countries to withdraw from the court. The US State Department has also launched an initiative aimed at limiting what it described as the ICC’s ability to challenge American sovereignty.
Court structure and founding
The ICC, based in The Hague, was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. The US is not a member of the court, while France is among the countries that support its work.