Eight Countries Condemn US Sanctions on International Criminal Court
The foreign ministers of eight countries have issued a joint statement condemning US sanctions on the International Criminal Court, warning that if implemented, the move could affect the court’s work and staff.
The statement, signed by the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Britain, said the countries reaffirm their “continued and unwavering support” for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the International Criminal Court.
The signatories said the sanctions, if enforced, would have “significant” consequences for the court’s operations, its employees and their families. They added that court staff “work every day to bring to justice those accused of the most serious international crimes and to support the victims of these crimes.”
The foreign ministers also said their countries remain united in support of the International Criminal Court and are committed to engaging in “constructive and inclusive” dialogue with non-member states as they prepare for the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in December 2026.
The statement added that these countries will continue their joint cooperation to support the court’s “vital activities” in order to preserve the rules-based international system and strengthen accountability for crimes.
The reactions come after the United States announced today that it was sanctioning the International Criminal Court. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “We will prohibit any dealings with this rogue court, cut off its funding, and cripple its ability to act against us.”
The International Criminal Court described the sanctions as “an attack on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal order” and an attempt to obstruct the course of justice, and stressed that it would not back down from its position.
