The United States has designated two ICC officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC) – the President, Tomoko Akane of Japan, and Senior Trial Lawyer, Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal.
The action announced on Tuesday by the Trump Administration is in pursuant to Executive Order 14203, “Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctioned individuals have engaged in ICC’s efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction.
Washington described the Hague-based court as “a corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court that has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate”.
Rubio reiterated the government’s commitment to the international campaign launched in July to address the ICC’s “abuses of power”, emphasizing that the U.S. will not tolerate “its assault on state sovereignty”.
The ICC, according to the top diplomat, has repeatedly attempted to assert authority over citizens of the U.S and other countries that have declined its jurisdiction or ratified the Rome Statute.
“This sets a dangerous precedent for all nations,” a statement Rubio issued reads. “The ICC’s ability to target American nationals and those of other non-States Parties must end.”
The U.S. vowed that its campaign to dismantle the “ICC threat” will be sweeping, saying Washington expects more nations to join and end their funding and participation in the “politicized and unaccountable court.”
The Trump Administration declared it is ready to take additional measures, if necessary, to systematically dismantle the ICC until it is incapable of threatening American sovereignty.
US designates ICC president, lawyer for probing government officials