The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Tomoko Akane, criticized the sanctions imposed by former US President Donald Trump in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Akane urged the 193 member states to take “concrete actions” in response to these measures, which were enacted on October 9 and targeted nine of the court’s 18 judges, including Akane, for fulfilling their duties to the ICC. The sanctions restrict US transactions with the court’s judges, including suspending access to financial services and technology.
In an address reflecting a stark contrast between recognition and restriction, Akane highlighted the distinct irony that, on the same day the sanctions were imposed, ICC Judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to international law. Despite this honor, the Trump administration, under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, implemented full sanctions on the ICC, intending to coerce the court into retracting investigations.
These events follow a history of contentious interactions between the ICC and the United States, particularly regarding the court’s examination of alleged war crimes by US personnel in Afghanistan. In 2020, the Trump administration had already sanctioned ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and senior official Phakiso Mochochoko, actions later revoked by President Joe Biden through Executive Order 13928.
The legal foundation for cooperation between the ICC and the UN, as articulated in Article 3 of their 2004 Relationship Agreement, underscores the significance of collaborative efforts on matters of mutual interest. Akane reminded the assembly of this mutual obligation, suggesting that US sanctions undermine this operational agreement.
Despite the sanctions, the ICC has continued to fulfill its mandate. Its activities during the 2026 reporting period were characterized by significant victim participation, with over 23,500 individuals appearing before the court. This ongoing commitment to justice was documented in the annual ICC report to the UN, demonstrating resilience in the face of external pressure.
For further details on Akane’s speech and the circumstances surrounding it, see the full article on JURIST.