Eight countries have opposed the United States’ move to impose sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), warning that the measures could significantly affect the court’s operations, staff and their families.
In a joint statement dated Oct. 9, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to the court’s independence, impartiality and integrity, describing their support as “continued and unwavering.”
”We, the undersigned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC,” the countries stated in a statement.
”As committed supporters of the ICC we regret and strongly disagree with the announcement of sanctions to be imposed upon the Court by the United States,” they added.
The statement came after Washington imposed sanctions on the ICC as an institution on Friday, following earlier US sanctions targeting 13 of the court’s judges and prosecutors. The ICC said the latest measures could disrupt its operations and hinder its work in pursuing justice for victims of serious international crimes.
The countries warned that implementing the sanctions would significantly affect the court’s operations, its staff and their families.
”They work every day to bring those accused of the most serious international crimes to justice and to support their victims,” the statement said.
They also welcomed the ICC’s preparations for potential sanctions, saying these measures would help the court continue fulfilling its mandate under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.
The statement noted that ICC personnel work to bring individuals accused of the most serious international crimes to justice and support victims.
The eight countries also pledged to engage in “constructive and inclusive dialogue” with states that are not parties to the Rome Statute ahead of the Assembly of States Parties scheduled for December 2026.
They said they would “continue working together to support the court’s work, uphold the rules-based international system and advance accountability“ for serious international crimes.
