MEPs Condemn Planned ICC Sanctions

Senior European Parliament lawmakers have condemned the United States’ announced intention to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court, calling the move a threat to international justice and the rule of law.

In a joint statement, the chairs of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, International Trade and Legal Affairs committees, along with the chair of its delegation for relations with the United States, described the sanctions as an “unacceptable assault” on the foundations of international justice.

The lawmakers said targeting the ICC and its personnel would undermine the independence and integrity of a tribunal responsible for addressing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. They urged the European Union to show concrete support for the court and its staff.

The committee chairs also called on the European Commission to activate the EU Blocking Statute, which is designed to protect European individuals and entities from the extraterritorial effects of certain foreign sanctions. The statement was signed by David McAllister, Mounir Satouri, Bernd Lange, Ilhan Kyuchyuk and Brando Benifei.