International Criminal Court: Trump sanctions 'unacceptable attempt to interfere' with rule of law

The Hague-based court is standing by its employees as the U.S. threatens to level sanctions against those working to prosecute American troops

By Sophie Mann

Published: June 12, 2020 8:44am

Updated: June 12, 2020 1:08pm

The International Criminal Court on Friday condemned the executive order President Trump signed a day earlier that imposes sanctions on members of the ICC working on investigating possible war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

The court, which is run out of the Hague, is calling the sanctions "an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the rule of law and the Court's judicial proceedings."

Trump's order could freeze financial assets of employees of the court and prevent them and their immediate relatives from entering the U.S.

The court released a statement saying it "stands firmly by its staff and officials and remains unwavering in its commitment to discharging independently and impartially" the mission of its founding.

The foreign policy chief of the European Union, Josep Borrell, called the sanctions a "matter of serious concern."

He also EU members will continue to be "steadfast supporters" of the tribunal and "must be respected and supported by all nations."

The ICC was founded in 2002 to prosecute international crimes against humanity, genocide, and other war crimes in places where the justice system might fail to hold the perpetrators to account.

The court is comprised of 123 member states; the United States has never been a member.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, called the ICC a "kangaroo court," and declared that the U.S. will punish ICC employees should the investigation into Americans in Afghanistan move forward. The secretary also said that the sanctions may apply should the court prosecute Israelis for actions taken against Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled his support for U.S. actions, calling them a defense of truth and justice, while accusing the court of routinely constructing "outlandish charges" against his country.

Pompeo also said: "It gives us no joy to punish them. But we cannot allow ICC officials and their families to come to the United States to shop and travel and otherwise enjoy American freedoms as these same officials seek to prosecute the defender of those very freedoms."

He also said the ICC has never been very successful or efficient in its mission to prosecute war crimes.