Key points
- Joint statement led by Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, others
- Britain, France, Germany and Canada back the statement
- Trump’s sanctions will affect global tribunal, staff, their families
ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump’s decision to sanction the International Criminal Court increases the “risk of impunity” for serious crimes, 79 parties to the global tribunal said in a joint statement Friday.
“Such measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law, which is crucial for promoting global order and security,” said the joint statement, led by Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Sierra Leone and Vanuatu.
They were joined by dozens of other nations, including Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil and Bangladesh.
“Today, the Court is facing unprecedented challenges,” the statement warned.
On Tuesday, Trump ordered asset freezes and travel bans against ICC officials, employees, and their family members, along with anyone deemed to have helped the court’s investigations.
“Sanctions could jeopardise the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved, including victims, witnesses, and Court officials, many of whom are our nationals,” it said.
“As strong supporters of the ICC, we regret any attempts to undermine the Court’s independence, integrity and impartiality,” it added.
The sanctions
President Donald Trump has slapped sanctions on the ICC, accusing the body of abusing Israel and the United States.
The US leader signed an executive order late on Thursday that places financial and visa restrictions on ICC staff and anyone assisting ICC investigations against the US and its allies, Al Jazeera reported.
The move coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.
The ICC in November issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, as well as former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a senior Hamas official, accusing them of war crimes in the war in Gaza.
Trump’s order stated The Hague-based court had “abused its power” by issuing the warrants for the Israelis.
