Intensified Penalties for Judges and Prosecutors: U.S. Strengthens Position against ICC - intensified sanctions on judges and prosecutors: U.S. intensifies pressure on International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing a significant challenge as the United States has imposed sanctions on four additional ICC judges, including French judge Marc Tréssellier Guillou, in early June. This move has sparked a wave of criticism and concern from various countries, with France expressing "shock" and "solidarity" with the affected parties.
The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute serious crimes such as war crimes when the national justice system of a state fails to do so, has been described as a "threat to national security" by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio, along with US President Donald Trump, has used the term "lawfare" to describe the ICC's actions, a term that implies the use of law as a weapon in warfare.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November, accusing him of war crimes in the Gaza Strip. This decision has been met with strong opposition from Israel, with Netanyahu welcoming the US sanctions as an "important step against the defamation campaign" against the Israeli state and its army.
Guillou is responsible for the case in which an arrest warrant was issued against Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Joav Gallant. He has previously worked on cases involving Kosovo and Lebanon and had advised the US Department of Justice during the presidency of Barack Obama.
The sanctions against Guillou include a travel ban and the freezing of any assets he holds in the US. The new sanctions also affect French judge Guillou, deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan from the Pacific island nation of Fiji, and deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang from Senegal. These judges are involved in a case concerning alleged crimes during the Afghanistan war, including those committed by US soldiers.
The ICC has described the US sanctions as a "blatant attack on the independence of an impartial judicial institution". The court stands "firmly behind its staff and the victims of unimaginable atrocities" and will "continue to discharge its mandate, undeterred by any restrictions, pressure, or threats".
While there is no direct mention among the search results of specific national leaders publicly opposing the US sanctions against ICC judges and prosecutors, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has openly opposed certain international actions. So far, there is no explicit information on which government leaders have spoken out against these sanctions.
The tone of the US towards the ICC is described as a threat to national security, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming the ICC has been deployed for "legal warfare against the USA and our close ally Israel". This statement echoes the sentiments of Trump, who has also used the term "lawfare" to describe the ICC's actions.
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between the US and the ICC, with the sanctions serving as a clear statement of the US's stance towards the court. The ICC, however, remains resolute in its mission to uphold justice and prosecute those responsible for war crimes, regardless of political pressure or threats.
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