Geneva - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has publicly urged the United States to withdraw sanctions levied against judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This appeal follows the US government's decision to sanction four ICC officials, citing concerns over the court's investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.
The US administration has repeatedly stated that the ICC's investigation constitutes an 'illegitimate' targeting of both Israel and the United States. They argue that neither country is a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and therefore the court lacks jurisdiction.
The UN High Commissioner, however, contends that the sanctions impede the ICC's crucial work in holding individuals accountable for the most serious crimes of international concern, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The commissioner emphasized the importance of the court's independence and impartiality in ensuring justice for victims of these atrocities. The call for the removal of sanctions highlights the ongoing tension between the US and the international community regarding the ICC's role in global justice.
UN Rights Chief Urges US to Lift Sanctions on ICC Judges
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling on the United States to remove sanctions placed on judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The US imposed these sanctions in response to the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and Palestine. The US government stated the ICC's actions were an 'illegitimate' targeting of both Israel and the United States. The UN maintains that the sanctions undermine the court's ability to impartially investigate and prosecute serious international crimes.
Source: Read the original article at BBC