US imposes sweeping sanctions on ICC

The sanctions risk deepening tensions between Washington and European allies that strongly support the court.Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures were intended to prevent the ICC from prosecuting Americans, describing the tribunal as a "rogue court" and accusing it of threatening US interests.

He said the US would ban transactions with the institution, cutting off resources and crippling its ability to operate.The US Treasury announced an initial six-month grace period, alongside exemptions allowing certain transactions involving telecommunications, software, pension payments and detainees.

Rubio said the measures had been structured to give the court and its member states time to address Washington's concerns, adding that the sanctions could be adjusted if those demands were not met.The United States has repeatedly criticised the ICC over arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and an earlier investigation into alleged crimes by US personnel in Afghanistan.

The court says that investigation has been deprioritised.ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told Reuters that the sanctions were intended to undermine international rule of law and the work of an independent judicial institution.

She said the court's investigations, prosecutions and other activities would continue.The sanctions extend beyond earlier US measures targeting individual ICC prosecutors and judges, potentially exposing companies providing services to the court to penalties.

Such restrictions could disrupt banking, insurance, credit card facilities and technology services, particularly given the institution's reliance on American systems.ICC officials have already begun preparing for the possibility of wider restrictions, including shifting office computers from Microsoft software to open-source alternatives and making new banking and health insurance arrangements.

The measures could also complicate staff payments, overseas investigations, witness protection and the operation of detention facilities.Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Britain jointly expressed support for the tribunal, saying they regretted and strongly disagreed with Washington's announcement.Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten called the sanctions deeply regrettable but urged dialogue, saying the six-month period before they take effect offered vital space for negotiations.

US imposes sweeping sanctions on ICC Agencies | Updated 2 minutes ago | Move threatens court's operations, the Netherlands, Canada, Japan express support for tribunal.

22Media International — Pakistan, world and bilingual digital newsroom coverage.