European countries oppose US sanctions on ICC director and others, expressing support for independence

[Brussels Current Affairs] European countries are intensifying their opposition to the US Trump administration's sanctions against Tomoko Akane, director of the International Criminal Court (ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands), and others. A number of countries have expressed solidarity with Akane and others, and voices supporting the ICC's independence are growing. Measures to counter sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) have also been floated, but it is unclear whether they will be implemented.

"This is a blatant attack on the independence, integrity and impartiality of the ICC." In a statement on the 19th, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "full solidarity" with Akane and others and strongly criticized the Trump administration's plan to "dismantle" the ICC.

This movement is not limited to Spain. Belgian Foreign Minister Prévost also criticized the sanctions on the 20th, saying they "weaken the global fight against impunity." Foreign Minister Behrendsen of the Netherlands, where the ICC is headquartered, has also voiced his support for the ICC, saying, ``International courts and tribunals must be able to carry out their duties freely.''

The ICC has so far issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who invaded Ukraine, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attacked Gaza. President Trump, who has a close relationship with Mr. Netanyahu, strongly opposed the move and has successively imposed sanctions on ICC judges and prosecutors.

While Spain and Ireland have taken tough stances regarding Israel's attack on Gaza, Germany has suppressed criticism, emphasizing its "special responsibility" for Israel's security due to its history of the Nazi Holocaust. Nevertheless, the German Foreign Ministry has now made it clear that it "supports the ICC and Director Akane." He took the position that there is no reason to fundamentally deny the role and achievements of maintaining the ``rule of law.''

The focus now will be on whether European countries can demonstrate their support for the ICC in concrete form. In some parts of Europe, there are calls for the imposition of ``blocking rules'' to limit the impact of sanctions imposed by third-party countries such as the United States on companies and individuals within the EU.

However, if the EU takes countermeasures, the rift with the US will inevitably deepen. At a press conference on the 20th, a spokesperson for the EU's European Commission declined to discuss the possibility of the blocking rules being triggered, saying only that ``we are closely monitoring the impact of the latest sanctions.''