The UN’s human rights chief has demanded the US government withdraw sanctions it imposed on Thursday against four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The sanctions are in response to the ICC issuing arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, and its investigation into alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan.
In a statement, Rubio accused the judges of “illegitimate and baseless actions” targeting Israel and the US.
The ICC is a global court with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Last year, it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The US government has been urged to revoke the sanctions it placed on four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges on Thursday by the UN’s human rights chief.
Volker Türk claimed in a statement that “attacks against judges” are in direct opposition to “respect for the rule of law and the equal protection of the law – values for which the US has long stood.”.
Sanctions were announced Thursday by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for what he described as “illegitimate” targeting of the US and Israel.
The ICC’s investigation into suspected US war crimes in Afghanistan and the issuance of arrest warrants for prominent Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, are the reasons behind the sanctions.
Turkey demanded that the sanctions be “promptly reconsidered and withdrawn” because he was “profoundly disturbed” by them.
Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, Beti Hohler of Slovenia, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, and Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda are the four female judges.
“Deplores” the sanctions, which are “a clear attempt to undermine” the ICC’s independence, the ICC said in a statement in response.
The measures mandate that all assets and property held by US judges be blocked and reported to the Treasury Department.
Thanks to Rubio and US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they had “stood up for the right of Israel” by intervening.
Rubio said in a statement that the judges had taken “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the US and Israel.
According to him, “these four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel’.”.
Rubio also said that the ICC “falsely claims unfettered discretion” to look into US and allied nationals, calling it “politicized.”.
The United States and our allies, including Israel, have their sovereignty and national security violated by this perilous claim and misuse of power. “.
The International Criminal Court responded by stating that it “stands fully behind its personnel” and will carry on with its work “undeterred.”.
“It does nothing to help civilians trapped in conflict to target those working for accountability,” the court ruled.
“These penalties target everyone who supports the Court, not just the designated individuals. In every case that comes before the court, they are directed at innocent victims. “,”.
The ICC is a worldwide court that has the authority to prosecute cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
Regarding alleged war crimes in Gaza, it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Israel’s former defense minister, last year.
Although Hamas later acknowledged that Mohammed Deif was killed in an airstrike last year, an arrest warrant was also issued for the Hamas military chief.
In the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the judges found “reasonable grounds” to hold the three men “criminally responsible” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel and Hamas have denied the accusations.
President Trump declared in February that the ICC had “abused its power” and imposed economic sanctions on the organization, including Karim Khan, its chief prosecutor.
The US State Department announced on Thursday that two of the judges, Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza, had given the ICC permission to look into US personnel in Afghanistan.
The arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant had been issued by the other two judges, Alapini Gansou and Hohler.
