The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties notes with deep concern the additional sanctions announced by the Government of the United States against two Judges and the Deputy Prosecutors of the International Criminal Court. These measures, in addition to earlier designations of elected officials, are regrettable attempts to impede the Court and its personnel in the exercise of their independent judicial functions.
We continue to object to such unilateral measures firmly and unequivocally. They represent an affront to the independence of the Court and the integrity of the Rome Statute system. Such actions risk hampering ongoing investigations and undermining global efforts to ensure accountability for the gravest crimes of concern to the international community.
The International Criminal Court is a cornerstone of international justice. It functions as an independent and impartial judicial body, operating in full accordance with its founding treaty, the Rome Statute. US sanctions against the Court threaten the integrity of the Rome Statute system and seek to hamper efforts to bring justice to victims of the most heinous crimes.
We reiterate our full support for the Court, its officials, and all those who contribute to the fulfilment of its judicial mandate. We urge all States Parties and stakeholders in the Rome Statute system to remain steadfast in their commitment to uphold the principles of international justice and to stand united in defending the Court, its elected officials, its personnel and those cooperating with it.
In these challenging times, the international community must reaffirm its collective commitment to the rule of law and to ensuring that no one is above accountability.
