The International Criminal Court (ICC) has called on its member states to ensure it can continue operating following sanctions imposed by the United States government.
In a statement issued on Friday, the court strongly condemned the sanctions, warning that the measures threatened international justice and the rule of law.
“It is an attempt to obstruct the course of justice and to prevent the Court from doing what it was created to do. It is an assault on the rule of law and on the very foundations of the international legal order,” the ICC said.
The court maintained that it would continue carrying out its responsibilities despite the restrictions but stressed that support from its member states would be essential to maintaining its operations.
ICC Vows to Continue Prosecuting International Crimes
The ICC said it remained committed to fulfilling its mandate of prosecuting individuals accused of serious international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.
The court handles such cases when the relevant national authorities are unwilling or unable to pursue them under the applicable legal framework.
However, the institution warned that it could not withstand the pressure alone and called on countries that established and support it to ensure it had the resources necessary to continue its work.
Although the United States is not a member of the ICC, its sanctions could create operational difficulties for the court and organisations that provide services to it.
The court’s appeal comes amid growing tensions between Washington and international justice institutions over the ICC’s investigations and legal actions involving individuals connected to international conflicts.
Court Warns Member States About Threat to International Justice
The ICC emphasised that defending the institution was about more than protecting a single organisation. It argued that the wider international legal system depended on countries supporting independent judicial institutions.
“The Court cannot stand alone. Its fate now rests also in the hands of the states that created it,” the court said.
It added: “This is not just about defending a single institution, but about safeguarding the international order grounded upon the rule of law. History will judge this moment.”
The statement places responsibility on the court’s member states to help ensure that the sanctions do not prevent it from investigating and prosecuting serious international crimes.
The ICC has pledged to continue its work, but its ability to operate effectively will depend partly on the support and practical assistance it receives from its members.
