The United States has placed four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on its sanctions list. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the judges "actively participated in the ICC's unlawful and unfounded actions against the US and our steadfast ally Israel."
The sanctions target Solomy Balungi Bossa from Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza from Peru, Reine Alapini-Gansou from Benin, and Beti Hohler from Slovenia. These measures could hinder their ability to conduct basic financial transactions, as all financial institutions dealing with the US are affected.
The sanctions escalate US pressure on the ICC. Earlier this year, President Trump imposed sanctions on the court after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant regarding the Gaza conflict. The ICC has been significantly impacted, with reports suggesting its operations are nearly paralyzed.
The ICC condemned the sanctions, calling them an attempt to undermine the independence of a court that "provides hope and justice to millions of victims of unimaginable crimes." It reaffirmed its commitment to its staff and mission.
In 2020, during Trump's first term, the US also sanctioned then-ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda over investigations into US troops in Afghanistan. The probe was later scaled back, shifting focus to potential crimes by Afghan authorities and the Taliban.
Dutch Foreign Minister Veldkamp criticized the sanctions, expressing full support for the ICC on social media, emphasizing the importance of independent international courts.
Established in 2002, the ICC prosecutes genocide and crimes against humanity. The US and Israel are not ICC members.
