The European Union has expressed strong disapproval of recent United States sanctions targeting four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the EU “deeply regrets” the action, emphasizing the court’s crucial role in international justice and its need for independence.
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The sanctions, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, June 5, 2025, target judges Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. The US alleges these judges took “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the United States and its allies.
Why the US Imposed Sanctions
The US State Department linked the sanctions to specific actions by the ICC. These include the court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a separate investigation opened in 2020 into alleged war crimes involving US troops in Afghanistan.
According to the US, these investigations and warrants represent an overreach of the court’s authority and threaten US personnel and allies.
This move follows broader actions taken by the Trump administration since returning to office on January 20, 2025, including an executive order threatening sanctions against anyone participating in ICC investigations perceived as targeting the US or its allies.
EU and UN Condemnations
Responding to the US decision, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed the EU’s “full support” for the Hague-based court. Speaking on Friday, June 6, von der Leyen highlighted the ICC’s role in holding perpetrators of the world’s gravest crimes accountable and giving victims a voice. She stressed the court “must be free to act without pressure.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaking about EU support for the ICC amidst US sanctions on judges.
United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk also voiced strong concern, stating he was “profoundly disturbed” by the US sanctions. Turk argued that attacks against judges performing their duties undermine the rule of law and the equal protection of the law, principles the US has historically upheld. He described such actions as “deeply corrosive of good governance and the due administration of justice” and called for the sanctions to be withdrawn.
Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, which represents the EU’s member states, echoed these sentiments. He called the ICC a “cornerstone of international justice” and emphasized the importance of protecting its independence and integrity.
Slovenia Calls for EU Blocking Statute
Slovenia, the home country of one of the sanctioned judges, Beti Hohler, strongly rejected the US pressure on judicial institutions. Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it would propose the “immediate activation of the blocking act” within the EU framework.
This mechanism allows the EU to prohibit European companies and individuals from complying with specific US sanctions that Brussels considers contrary to EU law. The EU has previously used this power to counter US sanctions related to trade with Cuba and Iran.
Impact of Sanctions
The US sanctions place the four judges on a list of Specially Designated Nationals. This action blocks any assets they may hold within US jurisdiction and significantly impacts their ability to use banking services globally, as many international banks use automated screening services linked to US sanctions lists. This makes it extremely difficult for sanctioned individuals to maintain bank accounts or transfer money.
What’s Next?
The international reaction highlights a significant divide regarding the ICC’s jurisdiction and actions. While the US administration views the sanctions as necessary to protect its interests and allies, the EU and UN see them as undermining the independence and function of a vital international judicial body.
Slovenia’s call for activating the EU blocking statute could escalate the diplomatic and legal tensions, potentially leading to a direct challenge by the EU to the extraterritorial effect of the US sanctions. The situation underscores ongoing debates about the balance between national sovereignty and international accountability through bodies like the ICC.
For more context on past tensions between the US and the ICC, explore our related coverage:
