ICC Chief Calls on Japan to Oppose US Sanctions Against Court
POLICY WIRE — Tokyo, Japan — The head of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Tomoko Akane, has called on Japan to resist US efforts to pressure ICC members to leave the organization. Akane...
POLICY WIRE — Tokyo, Japan — The head of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Tomoko Akane, has called on Japan to resist US efforts to pressure ICC members to leave the organization. Akane emphasized that Tokyo’s backing is crucial for the ICC’s continued existence.
The Trump administration has intensified its campaign against the ICC, recently imposing sanctions on Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused them of engaging in ICC efforts to investigate and prosecute officials from countries that have not consented to ICC jurisdiction.
Rubio described the ICC as a corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court, claiming it has abused its authority and exceeded its mandate by targeting US nationals and other non-member countries. The US has consistently criticized the ICC for its politicized actions and for issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2024.
In response to the US sanctions, the ICC stated that such actions undermine the rule of law, placing the international legal order at risk. The court has faced increased US pressure, including potential visa revocations and travel bans on ICC personnel.
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Established in 2002, the ICC was created by the international community to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Although the US is not a member, it has strongly opposed the court’s decisions, particularly those involving Israel.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
