ICC Condemns US Sanctions on Senior Officials
The International Criminal Court has strongly condemned new US sanctions targeting two of its senior officials, describing the measures as a “flagrant attack” on the independence of the court. The latest sanctions target ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
ICC Condemns New US Sanctions
The Hague-based court said sanctions against judges, prosecutors and staff undermine judicial independence and the wider rule of law.
The ICC warned that threatening judicial officials for carrying out their legal duties risks weakening the international justice system and interfering with the court’s ability to investigate and prosecute serious crimes.
The latest measures form part of a broader US campaign against the ICC and its investigations involving officials from countries that do not recognise the court’s jurisdiction.
US Targets ICC President Tomoko Akane
Washington imposed sanctions on Akane, a Japanese judge who has served as ICC president since 2024, and Senegalese lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
US officials have accused the ICC of attempting to investigate, arrest or prosecute officials from countries that have not consented to the court’s jurisdiction.
The sanctions restrict targeted individuals from entering the United States and accessing transactions connected to the US financial system.
Europe and Japan Back ICC Independence
The measures have drawn criticism from several US allies, including Japan, France and senior European Union officials.
They have argued that ICC judges and prosecutors must be able to perform their duties independently and without external political pressure.
The United States signed the Rome Statute establishing the ICC but never ratified it and therefore is not a member of the court. Israel and Russia are also outside the ICC’s membership.
