UN Chief Denounces U.S. Sanctions Against International Criminal Court

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has characterized the sanctions imposed by the United States against the International Criminal Court as a significant setback for global justice. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also deemed the U.S. action to be unacceptable.

Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have expressed their support for the ICC in opposition to the United States. The U.S. State Department announced that the Donald Trump administration has implemented sanctions against the International Criminal Court, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claiming that Trump will not permit the court to prosecute American citizens. Pompeo stated that these sanctions prohibit any transactions with the court, target its financial resources, and will undermine the institution’s capacity to act against the United States.

The U.S. Secretary of State further indicated that Washington expects its allies, including ICC member states that rely on the U.S. for their defense, to restrain the court. He warned that if the International Criminal Court is not contained, the United States will continue its efforts to dismantle it.

In response to these measures, the Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Nazhat Shameem Khan, condemned the U.S. sanctions, asserting that these actions will not halt the institution’s activities. Speaking to Reuters in The Hague, Khan stated, “These sanctions have been imposed with the aim of undermining the rule of law at the international level and the functioning of an independent judicial institution.” She emphasized, “Our activities in all cases, investigations, and judicial proceedings will continue.” U.S. pressure on the International Criminal Court has intensified following its investigations into international crimes, including those linked to Washington and the Israeli regime.