UK, France, Germany, Canada, Four Others In Joint Statement Condemn US Sanctions Against ICC
UK, France, Germany, Canada, Four Others In Joint Statement Condemn US Sanctions Against ICC
The countries warned that the measures could significantly disrupt the court’s work and affect its staff and their families.
Foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands have condemned the United States’ sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The countries warned that the measures could significantly disrupt the court’s work and affect its staff and their families.
In a joint statement, the eight countries reaffirmed their “continued and unwavering support” for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC, expressing regret and strong disagreement with Washington’s announcement of sanctions against the international judicial institution.
The ministers, whose countries are parties to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC, said the proposed measures could undermine the court’s ability to fulfil its mandate of bringing individuals accused of the most serious international crimes to justice.
“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,” the statement read.
They also commended the court for taking steps to prepare for the possible consequences of the sanctions, noting that such preparations were necessary to ensure that its operations would continue despite external pressure.
The ministers stressed that their governments remained committed to helping the ICC carry out its responsibilities under the Rome Statute.
They, however, warned that if implemented, the sanctions would have a “significant impact” on the court’s work, its dedicated staff and their families.
According to the statement, ICC personnel work daily to ensure that those accused of the gravest international crimes are brought to justice while providing support to victims.
The eight countries maintained that international accountability and the prosecution of serious crimes must not be undermined by measures that could obstruct the court’s operations.
“We remain both united in our support for the ICC and committed to engaging in constructive and inclusive dialogue with non-States Parties as we prepare for the Assembly of States Parties in December 2026,” the ministers said.
They added that they would continue working together to defend the court’s mandate, uphold the rules-based international system and advance accountability for serious international crimes.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the ICC rejected US sanctions against the institution, describing the measures as an attempt to obstruct justice and undermine the international legal order.
In its statement published on Friday, October 9, 2026, the court said the sanctions would not deter it from carrying out its mandate, despite acknowledging that the measures could create operational challenges.
ICC President Tomoko Akane reaffirmed the court’s determination to continue its work, insisting that its decisions would remain grounded in the law and evidence.
“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,” Akane said.
The court also said the sanctions were intended to disrupt its operations and intimidate individuals working for or cooperating with the institution.
It called on member states to take concrete steps to ensure it had the resources required to continue its investigations and prosecutions, stressing that no individual should be above the law.
The sanctions follow longstanding disagreements between Washington and the ICC over the court’s jurisdiction and investigations involving US personnel and Israeli officials.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, is an independent international tribunal established under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression, subject to its jurisdiction.
Unlike the International Court of Justice, which primarily handles disputes between states, the ICC prosecutes individuals for alleged criminal responsibility for serious international offences.
The court operates independently of the United Nations, although it maintains a cooperative relationship with the organisation.
The eight foreign ministers said their countries would continue engaging with states that are not parties to the Rome Statute ahead of the December 2026 Assembly of States Parties, signalling efforts to build broader support for the institution despite the dispute over the proposed US measures.
The joint statement underscores growing international concern over the potential consequences of sanctions against the ICC and their implications for the pursuit of justice, the protection of victims and the broader international legal order.
