NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), expressing deep concern over the potential impact of the measures. He said he was “deeply alarmed by the expected impact” of the sanctions.
“Today’s decision marks a serious blow to our collective pursuit of international criminal justice, of which the ICC is a key pillar,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
“The secretary-general reiterates his unwavering support for the independence of the Court and its officials,” he added.
ICC strongly rejects US sanctions
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly rejected US sanctions imposed on the institution, calling them an attempt to obstruct justice and vowing to continue its work independently.
“This measure targets an independent judicial institution, created by treaty and entrusted by 125 States Parties with investigating and prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression,” the court said in a statement.
The ICC described the sanctions as “an assault on the rule of law” and the foundations of the international legal order.
The #ICC strongly rejects US sanctions against the institution ⤵️ https://t.co/cQZ5JLMJYx
— Int’l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) October 9, 2026
It said the measures aimed to disrupt the court’s operations and intimidate those working for or cooperating with it.
“The Court will continue to fully discharge its mandate, with independence and impartiality, acting only on the basis of the law and the evidence, for the sake of the countless victims of grave crimes,” ICC President Tomoko Akane said.
The court said the sanctions followed US designations against 13 independent judges and prosecutors, adding that it would not be deterred from carrying out its mandate.
Unacceptable US sanctions on ICC
Meanwhile, the UN human rights Chief Volker Türk condemned fresh sanctions imposed against the International Criminal Court, just after the Nobel Peace Prize went to its former judge Navi Pillay.
“These sanctions — the latest in a series of retaliatory steps against the ICC and its personnel for the work they do every day to advance accountability for the very worst violations of human rights — are unacceptable,” the high commissioner for human rights said in a statement.
EU denounces US sanctions on ICC
The European Union, in its statement, said the US sanctions on the International Criminal Court were deeply regrettable, adding that it was ready to take any necessary measures to enable the court to carry out its work.
“The EU will work closely with the ICC to ensure it continues to operate effectively,” the European Commission said.
The Commission said there was a six-month delay before the measures are applicable, which it hoped would allow room for dialogue.
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One possible EU response would be to deploy a legal instrument known as the blocking mechanism.
This prohibits European firms from obeying the US sanctions actively or by deliberate omission, giving the European Union a potential means of cushioning some of the impact.
US imposes sanctions on ICC hours after Nobel Peace Prize announcement
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), pledging to cripple the tribunal’s operations just hours after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a former court judge who has warned of growing political attacks on the institution.
US imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court
https://t.co/4q6jiqGbL5— Department of State (@StateDept) October 9, 2026
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington would prohibit transactions with the Hague-based tribunal, describing it as a “rogue court”. The move marks a further escalation in the administration of President Donald Trump’s long-running campaign against the international judicial body.
“Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC,” Rubio said in a statement.
The court condemned the sanctions, describing them as an attack on international law. In a statement, it warned that “history will judge this moment”.
The announcement came on the same day the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to South African jurist Navi Pillay, 85, who previously headed the tribunal responsible for prosecuting those accused of crimes related to the Rwandan genocide.
Pillay also served at the International Criminal Court and later led a United Nations commission that accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Palestinian Authority weclomes Nobel for Pillay
Earlier the Palestinian foreign ministry on Friday welcomed the awarding of the Nobel Peace Price to jurist Navi Pillay, saying the recognition honoured “all those who stand firm in defending international law and justice”.
“Throughout her distinguished career, she has pursued the truth and defended the rights of the oppressed in South Africa and around the world, including Palestine, with integrity, courage, and honour,” the ministry said in a statement.
