The United Nations would continue cooperating with the ICC in line with the relationship agreement approved by the UN General Assembly on September 13, 2004
By Njoku Vincent
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), warning that the move could undermine international criminal justice.
Guterres’ position was disclosed on Friday by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, who said the UN chief was deeply concerned about the impact of the sanctions on the court’s ability to carry out its mandate.
He described the measure as a serious setback to the global pursuit of international criminal justice, noting that the ICC remained a key pillar of the system.
Guterres also reaffirmed his support for the court’s independence and its officials, urging all countries to honour their obligations under international law.
The spokesperson added that the United Nations would continue cooperating with the ICC in line with the relationship agreement approved by the UN General Assembly on September 13, 2004.
The ICC also strongly criticised the US decision, describing the sanctions against the institution as unprecedented and an assault on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal order.
The court said the measures were intended to disrupt its operations and intimidate its officials and those who cooperate with it. However, it insisted that the sanctions would not prevent it from fulfilling its responsibilities.
ICC President Tomoko Akane said the court would continue to operate independently and impartially, guided by the law and evidence in seeking justice for victims of serious crimes.
She stressed that the institution’s future also depended on the commitment of the countries that established it under the Rome Statute.
Announcing the sanctions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to dismantle the court unless it ended what Washington considers threats to American citizens.
Rubio said the US would prohibit transactions with the ICC, cut off its resources and restrict its ability to operate. He also urged Washington’s allies to rein in the court, while maintaining that diplomatic engagement remained possible.
Independent UN human rights experts also condemned the sanctions, describing them as an attempt to weaken the international legal framework established to hold perpetrators of serious crimes accountable.
The experts called on countries committed to the rule of law to defend the ICC’s independence, warning that targeting the court could deny victims of atrocities access to justice, accountability and reparations.
They maintained that no country should place itself above the law by intimidating an institution established to enforce international justice.