ICC slams new US sanctions as 'flagrant attack' on justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a forceful rebuke against newly imposed US sanctions that target its president and a senior prosecutor's office lawyer, characterizing the measures as a direct affront to judicial independence. The designations, announced on Wednesday, single out ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, a senior trial attorney within the Office of the Prosecutor. The Hague-based tribunal noted that nine of its 18 judges, both deputy prosecutors, a former prosecutor, and one staff member are now subject to US penalties.

Court warns of broader legal consequences

In an official statement, the ICC condemned the sanctions as "a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution," emphasizing that the court operates under a mandate conferred by its States Parties from diverse regions worldwide. The tribunal warned that targeting judges, prosecutors, and personnel for fulfilling their duties undermines the rule of law and places the entire international legal framework at risk. The ICC further stressed that such coercive measures impede victims' access to justice, particularly for those who turn to the court after exhausting all other legal avenues.

ICC reaffirms commitment to mandate

Despite the punitive measures, the ICC declared it would continue discharging its mandate with full independence and impartiality, in strict accordance with the Rome Statute and in the interest of victims of international crimes. The court also welcomed expressions of solidarity from member states, civil society organizations, and other supporters of international justice, signaling that external pressure would not deter its judicial functions. The sanctions come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and international bodies, with the US previously imposing similar measures in response to ICC investigations involving American personnel and allies.