The Hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s Assembly of States Parties Office expressed its serious concern on Thursday regarding the United States’ actions to impose sanctions on the ICC. These measures were taken in response to the court’s issuance of arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, related to actions in Gaza.
According to Qatar News Agency, the ICC’s Management Oversight and Legislative Body issued a statement emphasizing the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute’s deep worry about the sanctions imposed on the ICC and its personnel. These sanctions also extend to individuals and entities assisting the court in its efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, and prosecute certain individuals.
The statement highlighted that such sanctions could significantly impede the ICC’s ongoing investigations across all cases, potentially compromising the safety of victims, witnesses, and those subject to sanctions. The body expressed regret over any actions that might undermine the court’s independence, integrity, and neutrality.
The statement reaffirmed the office’s steadfast commitment to upholding the principles and values of the Rome Statute, ensuring its integrity is preserved. It emphasized that threats and measures targeting the ICC, its officials, staff, and collaborators would not deter the court from pursuing its mission.
