Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on the ICC itself, banning transactions and cutting off resources, with a six-month wind-down period. The move followed the Nobel Prize to former ICC judge Navi Pillay.
The Trump administration designated the International Criminal Court as a sanctioned entity on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced. The measures block property of the ICC in the US and prohibit US persons from providing funds, goods or services to the court, with a 180-day general license for certain maintenance activities.
Rubio said the United States would never allow the ICC to prosecute Americans and that the sanctions would cripple the court's ability to operate against US interests. The action escalates previous sanctions on individual ICC officials and comes hours after Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge, won the Nobel Peace Prize.
The ICC condemned the measures as an assault on the rule of law. The court has arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and has investigated situations including Afghanistan. European allies expressed regret. A six-month period allows time for negotiations on US concerns.
The State Department said licenses cover IT services, pensions and certain other transactions.
People Sentiments Negative
- Rubio said either the ICC will end its threats or we will end the ICC.
- The ICC said the sanctions are an assault on the rule of law.