EU Firmly Stands with ICC Amidst U.S. Sanctions: Here's the Game Plan
Council President Costa endorses the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has received a boost of approval from the European Union (EU) following the United States' imposition of sanctions against four ICC judges. This is how the EU intends to shield the court from any potential harm:
EU's Firm Support
- Endorsing the ICC: EU heavyweights, such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, view the ICC as a crucial pillar of international justice. They stress the importance of preserving its independence and integrity, asserting that the rule of law must triumph over might[2].
- Employing the Extraterritoriality (Blocking) Statute: Slovenia has urged the EU to invoke the Extraterritoriality (Blocking) Statute. This legislative tool forbids EU entities from complying with foreign sanctions without explicit authorization, which could help mitigate the impact of U.S. sanctions on ICC judges[2].
- ** Advocating for Global Justice and International Law**: The EU reiterates its dedication to global justice and the upholding of international law, affirming its unwavering backing of the ICC[2].
EU's Counteractions Against U.S. Sanctions
- Legislative Countermeasures: The EU is likely to implement legislative measures to neutralize the effects of U.S. sanctions on EU soil, ensuring that businesses and individuals within the EU are not compelled to abide by measures that could jeopardize the ICC’s operations.
- Diplomatic Maneuvers: The EU may engage in diplomatic maneuvers to address the U.S. sanctions, potentially through dialogue or by rallying international support for the ICC's role in global justice.
- Legal Protections: By reaffirming its commitment to the ICC, the EU signals its readiness to offer legal protections to ensure the court’s judges and staff can function freely without undue pressure from external sanctions.
In essence, the EU's approach involves a mix of legal, diplomatic, and legislative tactics to defend the ICC's independence and integrity amidst U.S. sanctions. The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute the gravest crimes, can issue arrest warrants valid in the over 120 states party to the Rome Statute, the ICC's legal foundation. Should Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for example, enter the territory of one of these countries, they would be obligated to detain him in accordance with the ICC's warrant.
[Source: ntv.de, AFP]
[2] Enrichment Data: This information offers additional insights into the EU's planned actions to bolster the ICC in the face of U.S. sanctions, including legislative, diplomatic, and legal measures. Additionally, the extraterritoriality (Blocking) Statute is highlighted as a potential tool for counteracting U.S. sanctions. Furthermore, the EU's unwavering commitment to global justice and international law is emphasized.
- The European Union (EU) is planning to invoke the Extraterritoriality (Blocking) Statute, an EU legislative tool, to prevent its entities from complying with foreign sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, demonstrating their strong support for the independence and integrity of the ICC.
- In response to the U.S. sanctions, the EU is advocating for global justice and international law, and is likely to enact legislative measures, engage in diplomatic maneuvers, and offer legal protections to ensure the ICC's judges and staff can function freely, thus safeguarding the court's operations and upholding its role in the international rule of law.
