International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected sanctions which the US government introduced against the judges of that court, who are conducting investigations into war crimes by members of the US military in Afghanistan and war crimes by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.
As stated in the court's announcement, the ICC condemned the announcement of sanctions against four judges - Judge Kimberly Prost from Canada and Judge Nicolas Jean Gillou from France, Najata Shamima Khan from Fiji and Mama Mandiya Nyanga from Senegal.
It is emphasized that the sanctions represent a flagrant attack on the independence of an impartial judicial institution, which operates under the mandate of 125 states.
It is added that the sanctions represent an insult to the rules-based international order, as well as to millions of innocent victims. It is emphasized that the court stands behind its employees and victims and will continue to fulfill its mandate strictly within the legal framework, regardless of restrictions, pressures and threats.
The court called on the states that recognize it and all those who share the values of humanity and the rule of law to ensure firm and consistent support for the court and its work, which is solely in the interest of victims of international crime.
Why were sanctions introduced?
Let us remind you that the US government has imposed sanctions on judges of the International Criminal Court who are conducting investigations into possible war crimes committed by members of the US military in Afghanistan and war crimes committed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, reports CBS News.
In a statement from the State Department, it is stated that the sanctions were imposed on Judge Kimberly Prost from Canada and Judges Nicolas Yan Gillou from France, Najat Shamim Khan from Fiji and Mama Mandiaye Niang from Senegal.
Prost was sanctioned for authorizing an International Criminal Court investigation into US military operations in Afghanistan, while the remaining three judges were sanctioned for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.
The State Department says the International Criminal Court "poses a threat to national security because it is a law enforcement instrument against the United States and our close ally Israel."
The International Criminal Court has previously condemned the actions of the Trump administration, calling them an attempt to undermine the independence of the international judicial institution.
Source: FoNet
