THE UK has joined 78 other countries in a statement denouncing US president Donald Trump’s decision to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On Thursday, the White House issued an executive order in response to what it described as “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”.
It came soon after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted for arrest by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, visited Trump in Washington DC.
The US move has triggered condemnation from the ICC, which has said it “stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world”.
Neither the US nor Israel are subscribed to be under the jurisdiction of the ICC, whereas the UK is. As such, the Labour Government would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu should he set foot on UK soil.
Asked if the Prime Minister was opposed to Trump’s view of the court, a Number 10 spokesperson said on Friday: “Ultimately, that’s a matter for the US.
“As for the UK, we support the independence of the ICC. Therefore, we’ve got no plans to sanction individual court officials.”
Now, the UK has added its name to a list of 79 countries defending the ICC against Trump’s sanctions.
The statement, initiated by a cross-regional core group of five countries – Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Sierra Leone, and Vanuatu – affirms “continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC”.
“Moreover, sanctions could jeopardize the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved – including victims, witnesses, and court officials, many of whom are our nationals.
"Sanctions would severely undermine all situations currently under investigation as the court may have to close its field offices. Advancing the ICC’s vital work serves our common interest in promoting accountability, as evidenced by the support provided to the court by both States Parties and non-States Parties."
It adds: “As strong supporters of the ICC, we regret any attempts to undermine the court’s independence, integrity and impartiality. We are committed to ensuring the ICC’s business continuity so that the court can continue to carry out its functions effectively and independently.
“As we collectively strive to uphold international justice, we underscore the ICC’s indispensable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law, and fostering lasting respect for international law and human rights.”
Germany, Ireland, Brazil, Portugal, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, France, and Greece are among the other nations to have signed the statement.
The move is significant from the Labour Government, who have been reluctant to criticise Trump even as he called for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, a war crime.
Court officials had been preparing for US sanctions for months, reports say. In January, the court gave staff a three-month advance on their salaries, two court insiders told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
At least two senior staff members at the court have resigned since Trump was elected in an effort to avoid sanctions.
The Netherlands, which hosts the court, has also condemned Trump’s order.
“The Netherlands regrets the executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC. The court’s work is essential in the fight against impunity,” the country’s minister of foreign affairs, Caspar Veldkamp, said in a statement.
People in the Dutch government say the Netherlands has been trying to assist the court in shielding itself from the fallout.
Groups who work with the court have also expressed concern over the scope of the sanctions.
“We just have put every project on hold, because we don’t know what the sanctions will mean,” the head of one advocacy group told the AP on the condition of anonymity. Another said they were moving money out of US-based bank accounts as a precaution.
Human rights groups have also criticised Trump’s decision.
“Trump’s executive order borrows a page out of Russia’s playbook, which has sought to obstruct the court’s work through arrest warrants against its judges and prosecutor,” Evenson said.
It is the second time Trump has gone after the court.
During his previous term in office, he imposed sanctions on former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and one of her deputies over her investigation into crimes committed in Afghanistan.
President Joe Biden lifted the sanctions when he took office in 2021.
