ICC member speaks

The 93 member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Declared They expressed their “unwavering support” for the court in the face of recent threats.

On June 14, the ICC’s member states around the world issued an unprecedented number of statements following repeated threats by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to impose sanctions on Russia. Announce On May 20, he was seeking arrest warrants for two senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and three Hamas leaders.

The joint statement reaffirmed the ICC member states’ support for the Court “as an independent and impartial judicial institution” and their commitment to protecting the ICC, its officials and those who work with it from any political interference and pressure. Earlier, the European Union expressed similar support. President of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court, Several ICC member countries-include Members of the United Nations Security Council-this EU High Representative, UN Special Proceduresand Non-Governmental Organizations.

In April, amid speculation that the International Criminal Court was about to issue arrest warrants for crimes in Gaza, 12 U.S. senators being threatened Sanction Imran Khan if he prosecutes senior Israeli officials. Netanyahu also called The government blocked the court from issuing the arrest warrant. Khan’s office condemn threats, noting that the ICC could also prosecute individuals who obstruct the course of justice.

On June 4, after the arrest warrant application was made public, the U.S. House of Representatives A bill was passed The bill is currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate. The proposed law is reminiscent of Sanctions This is an accusation made by President Trump against the former ICC prosecutor in an effort to intimidate the court from prosecuting crimes committed by U.S. and Israeli personnel in Afghanistan and Palestine. President Joe Biden Revocation Sanctions measures in 2021 so far be opposed to Current bill.

The International Criminal Court has also become a target of Russian attack. In 2023, Russian authorities Issue arrest warrant After the ICC indicted Khan and six ICC judges Issue arrest warrant Targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and another Russian official War crimes Crimes committed by Ukraine. Russian lawmakers also A law was made Criminalize cooperation with the International Criminal Court.

In the Palestinian and Ukrainian investigations, ICC officials were simply doing their job. The joint statement sends a strong signal that ICC members support the Court and will not succumb to attempts to undermine its independence.