The International Criminal Court reacted to the inclusion of ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior legal officer Abdoulaye Seye on the U.S. sanctions list. The court described the sanctions as a direct attack on the independence of international justice and an impartial judicial body.
In a written statement, the court said the restrictions against Akane, a Japanese national, and Seye, a Senegalese national, targeted the independence of a court carrying out a mandate conferred by its member states.
A significant part of the ICC staff faces sanctions
Following the sanctions, 9 of the International Criminal Court’s 18 judges, two deputy prosecutors, a former prosecutor and one staff member came under U.S. restrictive measures.
The ICC said that threats and pressure directed at judges, prosecutors and court staff for carrying out their duties weakened the rule of law. It said threatening judicial officials for administering justice endangered the international legal order.
The court stressed that such pressure also affected victims who turned to the ICC in pursuit of justice after exhausting all other avenues. The ICC said it remained committed to standing with its staff and victims of international crimes.
The court said it would continue to carry out its duties independently and impartially, in full compliance with the Rome Statute. The ICC also emphasized the importance of solidarity from member states, civil society and partners supporting the rule of law and justice for victims of crime.
The Netherlands reacts to the sanctions
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said they did not approve of the latest sanctions against ICC officials and staff. Berendsen said international courts and judicial bodies must be able to perform their duties freely.
Berendsen said he would meet with court President Akane to discuss the Netherlands’ unwavering support for the ICC.
U.S. accusations against the ICC
The U.S. Department of State said Akane and Seye had been placed on the sanctions list because they were directly involved in the ICC’s efforts to investigate and arrest officials from countries that do not recognize the court’s jurisdiction. The department described the ICC as a corrupt and politicized court that abuses its authority.
On November 21, 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Following the development, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly criticized the ICC and called on his allies to withdraw from the court.
Under Article 3 of the Rome Statute, the Netherlands is designated as the official host country of the International Criminal Court and the country where its headquarters are located.
