European states, Canada, Japan and UN back ICC against US sanctions

What the report says

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on the International Criminal Court, prompting a swift backlash from the court, the United Nations and several of Washington’s allies. According to Al Jazeera, the announcement came on Friday from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the measures were aimed at the ICC and its ability to operate. The court, based in The Hague, said the move was an attack on the rule of law and called on its 125 member states to defend it.

UN officials described the action as harmful to international criminal justice. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was said to be deeply concerned about the effect on the court’s mandate, while the UN human rights chief urged immediate steps to protect the institution. European states, Canada and Japan also voiced opposition in a joint statement, saying they regretted and strongly disagreed with the sanctions and warning they could affect the court’s staff and work.

The dispute reflects wider tensions over the ICC’s role in investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially cases involving countries that are not members of the court, such as the United States and Israel. The Trump administration has argued that the court has overreached, while the ICC and rights groups say the sanctions threaten judicial independence and accountability.

Israel welcomed the US decision. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised it after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him in 2024 over the war in Gaza.