Key facts
- The EU leaders stated they "stand firmly with the [ICC], President Tomoko Akane and the officials who uphold its mission."
- The EU leaders noted that the court helps deliver justice to victims of some of the world's worst crimes.
- The EU leaders emphasized that ICC judges and officials must be able to work "independently and without external pressure."
- The U.S. sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
- The ICC called the sanctions a "flagrant attack" on its independence and the rule of law.
European leaders have strongly backed the International Criminal Court (ICC) following sanctions imposed by the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa issued a joint statement on Wednesday, affirming their support for the ICC, its president Tomoko Akane, and other officials. The sanctions were reportedly imposed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, with accusations that the court targets officials from countries that reject its jurisdiction, specifically mentioning its pursuit of Israeli officials for alleged crimes in Gaza.
Von der Leyen and Costa emphasized that the court is crucial for delivering justice to victims of severe crimes and stressed the necessity for its judges and officials to operate independently and free from external pressure. Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera echoed these sentiments, calling the sanctions "profoundly sad and unfair."
This stance aligns with other U.S. allies. Germany stated it stood by Akane and the court, with a foreign ministry spokesperson noting the ICC was fulfilling its mandate. The Dutch Foreign Minister also expressed disapproval of the sanctions, underscoring that international courts must be able to carry out their mandates freely and invited Akane to The Hague for discussions on continued Dutch support.
The ICC itself condemned the U.S. measures as a "flagrant attack" on its independence, warning that threatening judicial actors for applying the law undermines the rule of law and places the international legal order at risk. Rubio has previously vowed to "systematically dismantle" the tribunal's ability to act against Americans and other non-member countries.