United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Washington’s decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), warning that the move could undermine international efforts to ensure justice for victims of serious crimes.
The UN chief’s position was conveyed by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, who told reporters on Friday that Guterres was “deeply alarmed” about the potential consequences for the court’s operations. He described the action as “a serious blow to our collective pursuit of international criminal justice, of which the ICC is a key pillar”.
Guterres also reaffirmed his “unwavering support for the independence of the court and its officials” and urged countries to honour their obligations under international law. The UN, he added, would continue working with the ICC in line with their existing cooperation agreement.
The ICC strongly criticised the latest US measures, describing them as “an assault on the rule of law and on the very foundations of the international legal order”. The court said the sanctions were intended to obstruct its work and “intimidating those who work for or cooperate with the court”.
Despite the pressure, ICC President Tomoko Akane maintained that the institution would continue carrying out its responsibilities. “The court will continue to fully discharge its mandate, with independence and impartiality, acting only on the basis of the law and the evidence for the sake of the countless victims of grave crimes,” she said.
The dispute intensified after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Washington intended to “dismantle the ICC, brick by brick” unless it stopped actions the US considers a “threat” to its citizens. Announcing the sanctions, Rubio said the administration would “ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate”.
He also stressed that the United States had never joined the court, stating, “America never joined the court. We don’t need it. And we don’t want it,” before warning, “Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC.” The latest action follows earlier US sanctions targeting 13 ICC judges and prosecutors.
Independent human rights experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council also condemned the measures, warning that they could weaken the international system established to hold perpetrators of serious crimes accountable.
They urged countries committed to justice and the rule of law to defend the court’s independence, arguing that the sanctions would harm victims seeking accountability and compensation.
The ICC, meanwhile, stressed that its future depended partly on the countries that established it, warning that the promise of the Rome Statute “is only as strong as the resolve of those who made it”. The court added: “No one should be punished for serving the cause of justice. History will judge this moment.”
