ICC Pres. Akane Stresses Importance of Independence

Brussels, July 17 (Jiji Press)–International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane from Japan emphasized the importance of the ICC’s independence Friday, likely with the U.S. government’s campaign against the international organization in mind. “International courts must always remain independent and free from political influence and coercion,” Akane said in a statement released on the International Criminal Justice Day. “Yet in recent years, international law has come under increasing pressure, through both direct attacks and a weakening of the commitment to uphold it,” she said. “Even in the most challenging times, the ICC will remain steadfast in its mission: to bring justice to the victims of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,” she added. She also said that the pursuit of justice is “a shared responsibility.” U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration claims that the ICC has posed a threat to U.S. sovereignty, especially over a decision on investigations into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. troops. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the U.S. government will urge ICC member states to withdraw from the court. U.S. Representative for U.N. Management and Reform Jeff Bartos made a similar request at a U.N. Security Council meeting Wednesday. Not a member of the ICC, the United States has announced sanctions against ICC judges and prosecutors and has warned that it will strengthen surveillance of countries that fail to comply with its request. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]