European Union, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands Reaffirm Support for the ICC.
On Wednesday, the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) criticized the sanctions imposed by the United States against ICC President Tomoko Akane and Senegalese national Abdoulaye Seye, lead trial lawyer in the Office of the Prosecutor.
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U.S. Sanctions ICC President and Prosecutor Over Court Activities
This legislative and oversight body for the management of the court represents the 125 countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, among which the United States is not included.
“These new actions, which add to the previous designations of the leadership of the Office of the Prosecutor and eight judges of the ICC, constitute regrettable attempts to obstruct the court and its personnel in the exercise of the functions entrusted to them to investigate and prosecute cases involving the worst crimes known to humanity,” the Assembly said.
The “escalation” of sanctions by the U.S. against ICC officials and personnel “risks undermining ongoing investigations and making more difficult global efforts aimed at ensuring accountability and delivering justice to victims of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole.”
“We urge all States Parties and stakeholders in the Rome Statute system to remain steadfast in their commitment to defending the principles of international justice and to remain united in support of the court and the values enshrined in the Rome Statute,” the Assembly added.
The new sanctions are part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign against the ICC over its investigations related to Israel and Afghanistan.
In February 2025, he signed an executive order that opened the door to economic measures and restrictions against people linked to certain cases being investigated by the ICC.
In addition to the investigation into crimes committed in Afghanistan over the past two decades, Washington rejects the arrest warrants issued in 2024 against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the military offensive in Gaza.
BREAKING:
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/nEepdE98pE
— GBC (@GBC_Press) July 31, 2026
The Netherlands Disapproves of U.S. Sanctions Against ICC
On Tuesday, the Dutch government expressed its disapproval of the latest U.S. sanctions against officials of the International Criminal Court and reaffirmed its full support for the court.
“International courts and tribunals must be able to freely carry out their mandates,” Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said in a post on social media.
“We fully support the court and its staff,” Berendsen said, adding that he had invited ICC President Tomoko Akane to discuss the Netherlands’ continued support for the court.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labels the International Criminal Court an illegitimate organization.
He argues the court undermines its own authority by claiming jurisdiction to pursue individuals from nations that never joined the international body. https://t.co/1o33yzfWW4 pic.twitter.com/rjvyZkjnCX
— Furkan Gözükara (@FurkanGozukara) August 19, 2026
EU Defends the Work of the International Criminal Court
On Wednesday, the top officials of the institutions of the European Union underscored their support for the International Criminal Court in the face of the new U.S. sanctions and stressed the need for its judges and officials to be able to act without external pressure.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa posted an identical message on their social media accounts in which they expressed their support for the court and defended its work.
“We stand firmly with the ICC, President Tomoko Akane and the officials who defend its mission. The ICC helps deliver justice to victims of some of the world’s most horrific crimes. To carry out this essential work, its judges and officials must be able to act independently and without external pressure,” Von der Leyen and Costa said.
“When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, what is put at risk is the international legal order itself,” the ICC said in a brief reaction after Washington announced new measures against members of the court.
“Measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff members working to fulfill the mandate entrusted to the ICC by the States undermine the rule of law,” the Court added.
Created in 2002, the ICC is an independent court tasked with investigating and prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
JUST IN: The International Court of Justice announced that it has jurisdiction to try Israel.
“Israel will be tried for genocide.” pic.twitter.com/QtnmTdh7hJ
— GBC (@GBC_Press) July 31, 2026
German Government Expresses Support for The ICC
On Wednesday, the German government expressed its support for ICC President Tomoko Akane after the United States imposed sanctions against her.
“We support the International Criminal Court and also its president, Tomoko Akane. For us, it is clear that the ICC has brought to light the worst crimes against humanity, such as the recruitment of child soldiers in civil wars, and has held those responsible for the most serious crimes accountable,” a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said.
He also pointed out that if there were shortcomings in the ICC’s institutional functioning, they should be criticized. However, “that is in no way a reason in Germany to generally call into question this important institution.” On the contrary, “it is fundamental to defend and protect the ICC as an independent institution.”
Japan has criticized U.S. sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane, calling the move very unfortunate.
Tokyo reaffirmed its support for the ICC and the rule of law.#Japan #ICC pic.twitter.com/jGxQ4WsU7p
— Mr. Guardian (@MrGGuardian) August 19, 2026
Japan Calls Sanctions Against Akane ‘Very Regrettable’
On Wednesday, the Japanese government called the U.S. sanctions against Japanese judge Tomoko Akane “very regrettable.” The measures are part of a Washington campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Toshihiro Kitamura said that “the announced measures are very regrettable” and assured that Japan would maintain its commitment to strengthening the rule of law in the international community while maintaining communication with other countries.
Kitamura added that Japan “has consistently supported the ICC in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to defend the rule of law.”
At a news conference, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated the Foreign Ministry’s message and said the situation was “very unfortunate.” “We will continue to respond while maintaining close communication with relevant countries, including the United States,” she said.
At the end of 2025, the ICC president denounced the sanctions against its prosecutors and judges, saying the measure “puts them on the same level as terrorists and drug traffickers,” while emphasizing that the court would not give in “to any pressure” and that its independence “remains intact.”
In this context, human rights defenders called on Japanese authorities to speak publicly to intensify their efforts in defense of the International Criminal Court.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: EFE – Xinhua
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