The United States has imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing the court’s actions against the US and its allies. The move has drawn strong condemnation and regret from the European Union and the United Nations, who emphasized the importance of the court’s independence.
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US Imposes Sanctions
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against four ICC judges. The US government stated these actions were a response to the court’s “illegitimate and baseless actions.” The designated judges are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.
The sanctions involve placing the judges on a list of specially designated individuals. This typically results in the blocking of any assets they might have in the US and can significantly hinder their ability to use international banking services, as many global banks utilize US screening systems.
The US pointed to specific ICC actions as the basis for the sanctions, including the recent decision to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Another contributing factor cited was the court’s 2020 decision to open an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by US troops in Afghanistan.
EU and UN Reactions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday that the European Union “deeply regrets” the US sanctions. She pledged the EU’s “full support” for the Hague-based court and its officials.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaking at an event.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the ICC plays a vital role in holding perpetrators of the world’s most serious crimes accountable and giving a voice to victims. She stressed that the court must be free to operate “without pressure” and affirmed the EU’s commitment to global justice and international law.
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who represents the national governments of the 27 EU member states, echoed this sentiment. He called the ICC “a cornerstone of international justice” and asserted that its independence and integrity must be protected.
United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk also expressed his concern, stating he was “profoundly disturbed” by the US decision. Turk argued that “attacks against judges for performance of their judicial functions, at national or international levels, run directly counter to respect for the rule of law.” He called for the sanctions to be withdrawn, stating they are “deeply corrosive of good governance and the due administration of justice.”
Slovenia Considers EU Blocking Statute
Slovenia, an EU member state and the home country of one of the sanctioned judges, Beti Hohler, strongly protested the US move. Slovenia stated it “rejects pressure on judicial institutions.”
The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its intention to propose the activation of the EU’s blocking statute. This mechanism allows the EU to prohibit European companies and individuals from complying with foreign sanctions that the EU deems unlawful. The statute has been used in the past to counteract US sanctions affecting trade with countries like Cuba and Iran.
Context: Previous US Posture Towards ICC
This action is not the first time the US has targeted the ICC. Following President Trump’s return to office in January 2025, his administration issued an executive order that broadly threatened individuals involved in ICC investigations with sanctions.
Critics argued at the time that such measures could impede justice, potentially discouraging witnesses from cooperating with the court. However, the Trump administration has maintained that the ICC’s investigations, particularly those involving the US and allies like Israel, are unwarranted and threaten military personnel with “harassment, abuse and possible arrest.” The US position is that countries like the US and Israel are “thriving democracies” that “strictly adhere to the laws of war.”
The current sanctions on judges represent a direct application of this policy following key decisions by the court.
What’s Next?
The US sanctions place direct personal and financial pressure on the targeted ICC judges. The strong reaction from the EU, UN, and individual member states like Slovenia indicates a diplomatic challenge to the US action and a reaffirmation of support for the ICC’s independence. Slovenia’s push for the EU blocking statute could lead to further measures designed to protect European citizens and entities involved with the court. This development highlights ongoing tensions between the US, which is not a member of the ICC, and international bodies asserting jurisdiction over alleged war crimes globally.
Explore related stories on the International Criminal Court’s role, previous US policies toward the court, and the implications of international sanctions.
