US sanctions ICC president in latest escalation

The United States has imposed new sanctions on two senior officials of the International Criminal Court, escalating

The United States has imposed new sanctions on two senior officials of the International Criminal Court, escalating the Trump administration’s campaign against the tribunal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal.

Rubio accused the two officials of supporting efforts to prosecute government officials from countries that have not accepted the court’s jurisdiction.

The US administration has repeatedly criticised the ICC and has pledged to weaken its ability to pursue cases involving American and allied officials.

The ICC rejected the latest measures. It said sanctions against judges, prosecutors and other staff undermine the rule of law and put the wider international legal system at risk.

The latest action adds to sanctions already imposed by Washington on ICC officials. At least 11 court officials, including judges and the chief prosecutor, have previously been targeted by US measures.

The sanctions can include asset freezes, travel restrictions and limits on services provided by US companies. They can also make routine financial transactions difficult because banks with links to the US financial system are expected to comply with the restrictions.

The Trump administration has particularly objected to ICC investigations involving US personnel in Afghanistan. Washington has also strongly opposed arrest warrants issued for senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Netanyahu has rejected the allegations and accused the court of bias. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC.

Palestine, however, joined the ICC in 2015. Its membership has allowed the court to examine alleged crimes committed in Palestinian territory.

Trump’s opposition to the ICC goes back to his first presidency. His administration previously described the court as a threat to US sovereignty and rejected its authority over American officials.

The pressure has intensified since Trump returned to office. Rubio has urged the ICC’s member states to withdraw from the court and has described the US campaign as an effort to dismantle the institution.

The ICC was established in 2002. It has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in member states, as well as cases referred to it by the UN Security Council.

Human rights organisations have criticised Washington’s sanctions campaign. Rights groups argue that the measures could weaken international efforts to hold governments and individuals accountable for serious crimes.

Several US organisations have also taken legal action against the administration over the sanctions. They argue that the restrictions interfere with their ability to cooperate with the ICC and pursue justice for alleged genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Three ICC judges have separately challenged US sanctions in a federal court in New York. They argue that the measures are intended to pressure and punish judges for carrying out their judicial responsibilities.

The US administration maintains that the sanctions are legally authorised.