ICC says U.S. sanctions “obstruct course of justice”

What the report says

The International Criminal Court in The Hague said U.S. sanctions imposed on the institution were an attempt to obstruct justice and a threat to the rule of law, according to The Independent Uganda’s report based on Xinhua. The court urged states to take practical steps so it can keep operating, and said it would not be deterred by the measures.

The statement came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington was expanding pressure on the ICC. The report says the U.S. move extends sanctions beyond named officials to the court itself, bringing asset-freezing measures and limits on transactions involving U.S. persons. Rubio argued that the ICC should stop what he described as its threats, or face consequences.

The article also notes responses from European and Dutch officials. The Dutch foreign minister called the sanctions deeply regrettable and said the Netherlands would defend the court, while the European Union said it remained a supporter of the ICC and was ready to help it continue its work.

As background, the ICC is an international tribunal that prosecutes serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The dispute matters because sanctions on the court could affect staffing, funding and cooperation from states and service providers, potentially complicating ongoing legal work.