United States / Diplomatic tensions: The United States sanctions ICC judges, France reacts with dismay
The United States announced on Wednesday new sanctions targeting four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), further straining relations with several allies, including France. Washington accuses these judges and prosecutors of having taken part in proceedings against American and Israeli nationals without their consent.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against Kimberly Prost (Canada), Nicolas Guillou (France), Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji), and Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal), accusing them of facilitating investigations or arrest warrants against U.S. or Israeli citizens. The measures include a ban on entering the United States, the freezing of any assets in the country, and a prohibition on financial transactions with them.
According to Washington, the ICC represents a “threat to national security” and acts as a “weapon of lawfare” against the United States and Israel. These sanctions come on top of those already imposed in June against four other judges, as well as ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan in February.
The arrest warrants issued by the ICC against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza lie at the heart of the tensions. Judge Prost is also targeted for having authorized an investigation into U.S. soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.
Israel welcomed the U.S. decision. Netanyahu thanked Marco Rubio for this “decisive action against the smear campaign targeting Israel.” France reacted immediately. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “dismay” and called on the United States to lift the sanctions, describing them as “contrary to the principle of judicial independence.” Paris expressed its support for Judge Nicolas Guillou and the other sanctioned magistrates. The ICC denounced a “blatant attack on its independence,” reminding that it acts on behalf of 125 member states to deliver justice to victims worldwide.
