The Hague, Netherlands, Oct. 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan and seven other countries on Friday voiced their strong objections to U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court, which is based in The Hague in the Netherlands. In a statement issued by their foreign ministers, Japan, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Britain said, “As committed supporters of the ICC, we regret and strongly disagree with the announcement of sanctions to be imposed upon the court by the United States.” “These sanctions will have a significant impact on the court’s work, its dedicated staff and their families,” the statement said, adding, “They work every day to bring those accused of the most serious international crimes to justice and to support their victims.” “We will continue to work together to support the court’s vital work, uphold the rules-based international system and advance accountability,” the eight nations said. They also expressed a readiness to engage in “constructive and inclusive dialogue” with states that are not ICC members, including the United States. “We…reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC,” they stressed. Earlier in the day, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which claims that the ICC is jeopardizing the country’s sovereignty, added the court to its list of those subject to sanctions. The court’s president, Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national, was placed under U.S. sanctions in August. Washington has been increasing pressure on the ICC following the international court’s war crime investigations involving U.S. troops and its issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Calling the latest U.S. sanctions “deeply regrettable,” the European Commission, the executive organ of the European Union, said in a statement Friday that the EU “stands ready to take any necessary measures to enable the court to carry out its work both in investigating and prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Noting that there are still 180 days until the sanctions are applied, the EU pointed to “room for dialogue.” A spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Friday that the chief of the United Nations “condemns” and is “deeply alarmed” by the sanctions. “Today’s decision marks a serious blow to our collective pursuit of international criminal justice, of which the ICC is a key pillar,” the statement read. Guterres reiterates his “unwavering support” for the independence of the ICC and urges all countries “to support efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,” the statement added. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
