Dozens of countries vow ‘unwavering’ support for International Criminal Court in wake of Trump sanctions
Dozens of countries have expressed their “unwavering support” for the International Criminal Court (ICC), a day after Donald Trump signed off sanctions against the court’s staff.
“We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC,” a group of almost 80 countries said in a joint statement.
“The court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims.”
The 79 signatories came from all parts of the world, but make up only about two-thirds of the 125 member states of the permanent court for the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression.
Among the countries who agreed to the statement were France, Germany and Britain. Among those absent were Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy.
Britain’s prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, backed the court in his own remarks. Asked whether the prime minister was opposed to Mr Trump’s view, a No 10 spokesman said: “Ultimately, that’s a matter for the US. As for the UK, we support the independence of the ICC.
“Therefore, we’ve got no plans to sanction individual court officials.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had earlier on Friday made it clear he suppoHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had earlier on Friday made it clear he supported Mr Trump’s move, which coincided with a visit to Washington by Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against who the ICC has issued an arrest warrant over Israel’s conduct during the war in Gaza. Israel denies any wrongdoing.
Mr Trump’s sanctions target people who work on ICC investigations of US citizens or US allies, such as Israel.
“It’s time for Hungary to review what we’re doing in an international organization that is under U.S. sanctions! New winds are blowing in international politics. We call it the Trump-tornado,” Orban said on X.
The Czech and Italian governments had no immediate comment on why they had not signed the declaration.
The court’s host nation, the Netherlands, said it regretted the sanctions and would continue to support the ICC’s work.
“We don’t know the exact impact yet, but it could make the court’s work very hard and possibly impossible in certain areas,” Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof told reporters
“We will do all we can to make sure the court can fulfill its tasks,” he said, adding he had not talked to Mr Trump about the sanctions yet.
