The United States announced on Tuesday sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and another senior official over claims of political bias.
The measures also target Senegalese magistrate Abdoulaye Seye, who currently serves as deputy prosecutor at the global tribunal. Washington has repeatedly accused the institution of acting as a politicised entity.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an official statement that the targeted officials were directly involved in efforts by the court to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute individuals whose government has not accepted ICC jurisdiction. Rubio did not cite any specific examples to support the claim.
Sanctions and diplomatic offensive
The sanctions restrict the judicial officials from entering the United States. They also freeze real estate holdings and block financial transactions involving the officials within the US economy, the largest in the world.
The United States has never joined the international treaty that established the court, which is headquartered in The Hague in the Netherlands. The latest sanctions are largely a response to ongoing investigations by the court into Israel, a primary ally of Washington.
In 2024, the international court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in connection with the war in Gaza. Washington subsequently launched a broader diplomatic campaign against the tribunal in July, arguing that the court threatens American citizens and calling on international partners to withdraw their support.
Chad and Venezuela have recently followed the American lead by distancing themselves from the court. Venezuela moved closer to Washington following the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro. Rubio stated that he remains convinced additional nations will take similar steps to exit the institution.
Tribunal responds to pressure
Responding to the measures, the International Criminal Court stated that the sanctions against its leadership directly undermine the rule of law.
The tribunal warned that when external pressure is applied to judicial authorities to prevent them from enforcing the law, the broader international legal order is placed in jeopardy.
Court officials emphasised that punitive measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff working to fulfill duties assigned by member states undermine international justice. The tribunal added that it remains steadfast in its mandate and will continue to support its personnel and victims of unimaginable atrocities.
