ICC Strongly Rejects New U.S. Sanctions Against Judges and Deputy Prosecutors

THE HAGUE / GENEVA, Aug 20 (WMF) — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has vehemently denounced a new round of U.S. sanctions targeting judges and deputy prosecutors, calling them “a flagrant attack on judicial independence” that undermines the rules-based international order.

The list of sanctioned officials includes Judge Kimberly Prost (Canada), Judge Nicolas Guillou (France), and Deputy Prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji) and Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal), all involved in ICC investigations related to U.S. and Israeli actions. Their assets were frozen by U.S. authorities, and they were barred from entering or doing business in the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the measure as necessary to defend U.S. and allied sovereignty, calling the ICC’s actions “illegitimate and politicized.”

Global Outcry and Support for the ICC

• United Nations: Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned the sanctions threaten the prosecutor’s ability to operate across ongoing cases and undermine judicial independence.
• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the move as “deeply corrosive of good governance” and urged Washington to reverse the decision.
• European Union leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, reaffirmed their support, calling the ICC “a pillar of international justice” and warning the sanctions strike at the rule of law.
• South Africa called the sanctions a direct affront to justice and raised concerns that they could embolden impunity globally.

ICC’s Response and Stand

In its statement, the ICC emphasized that these sanctions are more than a personal affront—they represent an attack on the entire institution, its member states, and victims worldwide. The court reaffirmed its commitment to continue its work “without regard to any restriction, pressure or threat.” It urged all states parties and defenders of the rule of law to stand firmly behind its mission.

— Published by WMF News