The US imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) hours after a former judge won the Nobel Peace Prize. The move comes as the US has sought to 'dismantle' the court, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a 'rogue court' and vowing to 'sweeping campaign to dismantle' it.
The sanctions target the ICC, which the US has opposed for years, including its arrest warrants for top Israeli officials and investigations into military actions in Afghanistan. Rubio said the US would ban transactions with the court, cutting off its resources and crippling its ability to operate, despite the court's independence and impartiality.
The ICC responded by calling the sanctions an attack on international law, vowing to continue its work 'for the sake of the countless victims of grave crimes.' The court warned that 'history will judge this moment' and urged members to take 'concrete actions' to ensure its continued operation.
The US action has drawn criticism from allies, including Germany, Canada, and others, who condemned the sanctions as a threat to the ICC's independence and integrity, despite the court's efforts to mitigate the impact of the sanctions.