Trump sanctions spark International Criminal Court controversy
Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court and individuals supporting its actions against the USA and its allies, including Israel. The ICC condemned Trump's decision in response and assured that it will not stop pursuing its mission of "restoring calm and stability to the region."
The US President announced on Thursday the decision to impose sanctions on the ICC and individuals supporting its actions against Americans and US allies, including Israel. The sanctions are a reaction to the arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued by the ICC.
Trump's executive order provides for full financial and visa sanctions for those involved in ICC actions, including investigations, arrests, or prosecution of Americans and officials from allied nations. The sanctions will also apply to individuals materially supporting the ICC.
ICC calls on nations of the world to "defend justice"
On Friday, a brief statement appeared on the Court's website. "The ICC condemns the issuance by the US of an Executive Order seeking to impose sanctions on its officials and harm its independent and impartial judicial work. The Court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world, in all Situations before it," the statement reads.
"We call on our 125 States Parties, civil society and all nations of the world to stand united for justice and fundamental human rights," the ICC emphasised.
The Tribunal also called on all states parties to the Rome Statute, under which the ICC was established in 1989, "civil society, and all the nations of the world to unite in the defence of justice and fundamental human rights."
