The leadership of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed concerns that potential U.S. sanctions and arrest warrants issued by Russia against its staff are endangering the very existence of the Court.
In a press conference on Monday, December 2, ICC President Tomoko Akane stated that the Court “has been subjected to attacks seeking to undermine its legitimacy and ability to administer justice and realise international law and fundamental rights; coercive measures, threats, pressure and acts of sabotage.”
Akane added that the ICC is being threatened “with draconian economic sanctions from institutions of another permanent member of the Security Council as if it was a terrorist organisation. These measures would rapidly undermine the Court’s operations in all situations and cases and jeopardise its very existence.”
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan echoed these concerns, noting that the Court is “at a decisive moment.” He said, “We are facing unprecedented challenges. We see civil society victims, survivors, humanity at large, I think have unprecedented expectations.”
