European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union (EU) “deeply regrets” the US sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the four ICC judges had been sanctioned for “illegal and unfounded actions” against the US and its allies.
In response to the announcement, von der Leyen said on Friday that the Hague-based court has the “full support” of the European Union.
“The ICC holds those responsible for the world’s most heinous crimes accountable and gives a voice to victims,” she wrote on social media. “It is essential to ensure that the court can operate without pressure.”
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said he was “deeply disturbed” by the US decision.
Türk added that “when judges, whether at the national or international level, are attacked for carrying out their judicial duties, it goes directly against the rule of law and the equal application of the law — long-standing principles of the United States.”
He also called for the sanctions to be lifted, saying such attacks were deeply detrimental to good governance and the proper administration of justice.
Antonio Costa, who is president of the European Council and represents the national governments of the 27 EU member states, also called the court “a cornerstone of international justice” and said its independence and integrity must be protected. Source: Reuters