“History will judge this moment”: the International Criminal Court targeted by American sanctions

The American government announced on Friday October 9 that it was sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC), a few hours after former South African judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, notably for her work within the institution. Washington justifies these sanctions by its desire to “defend American sovereignty and its citizens against the threat posed by the International Criminal Court”, according to a press release published by the State Department.

The International Criminal Court said Friday that U.S. sanctions against it constitute an attack on international law and warned that “history will judge this moment.” These sanctions constitute “an attack on the rule of law and the very foundations of the international legal order, which undermines the fundamental principle that no one is above the law,” the Court said in a statement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier Friday that Washington would prohibit any dealings with what he called a “rogue court,” intensifying the long-running campaign by President Donald Trump’s administration to dismantle the jurisdiction. Washington justifies these sanctions by its desire to “defend American sovereignty and its citizens against the threat posed by the International Criminal Court”, according to a press release published by the State Department.

The court said the measures were aimed at intimidating its staff and disrupting its activities, saying it would not be deterred. “The Court will continue to fully discharge its mandate, with complete independence and impartiality, acting solely on the basis of law and evidence, for the sake of the countless victims of serious crimes,” ICC President Tomoko Akane said in a statement.