The Irish government and the European Union have fiercely condemned a decision by the United States to impose sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC).
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Trump administration would impose sanctions on what he called the “rogue court” by “cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate.”
Doing so was necessary to “defend US sovereignty”, he argued.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, said that hitting out at the court undermines international rule of law.
The ICC was “established to end impunity for the perpetrators of the world’s most heinous crimes”, she said.
The US has already imposed sanctions on well over a dozen ICC judges. The latest measures are aimed at the court as an institution.
“It punishes diligent officials, committed to the pursuit of justice, simply for carrying out the professional responsibilities that we, the States Parties, have entrusted to them,” McEntee said.
The European Commission echoed her concerns, branding the sanctions “deeply regrettable.”
The US said that the sanctions would apply from next April and the European Union hopes that that leaves “room for dialogue”.
Changing Trump’s mind will not be easy.
Earlier today, an ICC judge was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize which Trump believes he deserved to win himself.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has suggested that the EU could take a more combative approach by activating the so-called EU Blocking Statute.
The EU Blocking Statute is a mechanism which shields EU-based entities from international sanctions. Since the court is based in the Netherlands such a move would be effective, he argued.
“Seeking to cripple the Court’s work denies victims a path to justice and puts those responsible for the gravest crimes beyond its reach,” Prévot warned.
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the crisis when they meet in Luxembourg on Monday.
Helen McEntee’s statement in full:
“Ireland profoundly regrets today’s announcement by the United States that it is imposing institutional sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC was established to end impunity for the perpetrators of the world’s most heinous crimes. It receives its mandate from the 125 States Parties, including Ireland, which are members of the Court. It is vital that the ICC’s independence is respected if it is to deliver justice for victims. We urge the United States to withdraw all measures against the Court and its officials.
The imposition of sanctions on the Court not only undermines the international rule of law, but also seeks to frustrate the collective will of the States Parties to the Rome Statute, and the investment that we have all made in building-up the ICC framework over the past twenty-five years. It punishes diligent officials, committed to the pursuit of justice, simply for carrying out the professional responsibilities that we, the States Parties, have entrusted to them.
When I met the President of the ICC, Tomoko Akane, in Dublin on 5 October, I reaffirmed Ireland’s steadfast support for the ICC as the cornerstone of international criminal justice. Today’s announcement makes the support of Ireland, and all States Parties, all the more important.
There is some time available before these institutional sanctions take effect and it is important to emphasise that service providers can continue to do business with the Court.
We will continue to work with States Parties to protect the Court and ensure that it can deliver upon its vital mandate.”