UK and G7 allies condemn US sanctions on International Criminal Court

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 20:55 · Archive

The UK and fellow G7 nations have expressed strong disagreement with US sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court.

The UK and fellow G7 nations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – alongside Denmark and the Netherlands, have jointly condemned US sanctions against the International Criminal Court in a statement reaffirming their "continued and unwavering support" for the tribunal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Friday, describing the ICC as a "rogue court". He said the measures would "ban transactions" with the court, "cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate". The US Treasury Department set a six-month initial grace period and exemptions for certain transactions including telecommunications, software and pension payments. President Donald Trump stated he would "never allow" the Hague to prosecute Americans.

The allied nations said they "regret and strongly disagree" with the sanctions. They acknowledged that while the ICC had taken measures to ensure it could continue operating, the sanctions would "have a significant impact on the court's work". The statement appeared directed at Rubio, who had demanded America's allies "rein in" the court, warning the US would "continue its campaign" to "end the ICC" if they did not.

The eight nations also praised the dedication of the tribunal's staff and their families, noting they "work every day to bring those accused of the most serious international crimes to justice and to support their victims". The ICC itself responded by saying the sanctions were an "assault on the rule of law" and calling on its 125 member states to defend the institution.

The US administration has been fiercely critical of the ICC over its investigation into the conduct of US troops in Afghanistan and its decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Neither the US nor Israel are signatories to the ICC, which was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, and both reject its authority over their citizens. Rubio said the sanctions would give the court an opportunity to address US concerns and could be adjusted if those demands were not met.

How it is being reported

• European states, Canada, Japan and UN back ICC against US sanctionsSeveral US allies call to 'defend' and 'protect' the ICC following Washington's decision to sanction the judiciary body.Al Jazeera · 9 Oct, 20:32
• Britain says it ‘strongly disagrees’ with US sanctions on ICC in joint statement with G7 alliesThe G7 nations, along with Denmark and the Netherland reaffirmed their ‘continued and unwavering support for the tribunalThe Independent · 9 Oct, 18:58
• UK and allies stand up to Donald Trump and US over International Criminal Court sanctionsThe remaining G7 nations - the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan - as well as Denmark and the Netherlands, said they "regret and strongly disagree with" the US sanctions on the International Criminal CourtThe Mirror · 9 Oct, 18:25

In this story: United Kingdom · United States · International Criminal Court · Marco Rubio · Donald Trump · Benjamin Netanyahu · Canada · France

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