ICC urges member states to support court after new US sanctions

The International Criminal Court urged Rome Statute member states on October 9 to ensure it can continue operating after new US sanctions. It said it could not confront the restrictions alone.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions banning transactions with the court, Reuters and AP reported. Washington links the measures to opposing ICC activity concerning the United States and its allies.

The court recalled that its founding states accepted a collective commitment to combat impunity for the gravest international crimes. It said that commitment’s strength depends on their determination to uphold it.

The ICC described the sanctions as an attack on the rule of law and the foundations of international legal order. That is the court’s assessment. Its appeal does not announce a shutdown: it rejects the restrictions and asks members to support its mandate.