ICC President Says US Sanctions Disrupt Officials’ Lives but Will Not Influence Court’s Work

The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has criticised US sanctions imposed on senior court officials, saying the measures have disrupted their personal and financial affairs but will not affect the court’s independence or decision-making.

Speaking in The Hague on Monday at the opening of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, Judge Tomoko Akane addressed the impact of sanctions imposed earlier this year by the administration of former US President Donald Trump. The restrictions targeted nine ICC personnel, including judges and prosecutors, in response to investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes. Sources have indicated that Washington is also weighing the possibility of broader sanctions against the entire court.

Akane said the measures have extended into the daily lives of the officials involved, unsettling their families and limiting routine financial activities even within European countries that are members of the court. The sanctions block any US-based assets and effectively shut the individuals out of the American financial system, which is closely linked to global banking networks and used extensively by international institutions.

Despite the disruption, Akane stressed that the court would remain firm in its mandate. “We never accept any kind of pressure from anyone on issues of interpretation of the statutory framework and adjudication of cases,” she told representatives of the 125 ICC member states gathered for the annual session.

The sanctions follow a series of high-profile investigations led by the ICC, including cases related to the war in Gaza. The court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as senior figures from Hamas. All have rejected the allegations laid out in the warrants.

Washington has a history of using punitive measures against ICC officials involved in cases touching on US interests. Previous sanctions were imposed over the court’s Afghanistan investigation, which examined actions by American military personnel alongside alleged crimes by other parties to the conflict.

Established in 2002, the ICC was created to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Its jurisdiction applies when such offences are committed by nationals of member states or take place within their territories. Although the United States is not a party to the court, the ICC continues to pursue investigations it considers to fall within its legal mandate.

Akane’s remarks signal the court’s determination to continue its work despite geopolitical tensions and external attempts to influence its proceedings.