The US threatens with economic sanctions and Russia with the arrest of members of the justice system
Ap and Reuters
La Jornada Newspaper
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, p. 23
The Hague., The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Tomoko Akane, stated yesterday that the threats facing the institution, including possible US sanctions and Russian arrest warrants against members of its staff, “put endangering his own existence.
The court is being threatened with draconian economic sanctions by another permanent member of the Security Council, as if it were a terrorist organizationAkane noted in his speech at the institution’s annual meeting, which began yesterday.
The judge was referring to comments by US Senator Lindsey Graham, whose Republican Party will control both houses of Congress in January, and who called the court a dangerous prank and urged to sanction his prosecutor. To any ally, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, if they try to help the ICC, we are going to sanction themGraham warned on Fox News.
It is the first time the court has singled out a serving leader of a major Western power.
In her speech before the 124-member court, Judge Akane did not name Russia or the United States, but referred to them as permanent members of the Security Council.
Russia issued an arrest warrant against ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan, two months after the Hague court issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The US House of Representatives in June passed a bill to sanction the Court in response to Khan’s request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant.
The court has been subject to coercive measures, threats, pressure and acts of sabotage that seek to undermine its legitimacy and its ability to administer justice and implement international law.Akane said, adding that more arrest warrants had been issued against court employees.
The ICC also is threatened with economic sanctions that would quickly undermine its functioning and endanger its very existence.
The court firmly rejects any attempt to influence its independence and impartiality or to politicize our function. We have complied and will always comply with the law, in any circumstancesaid the judge.
The Court was created in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.
It can prosecute crimes committed by citizens of member states or on the territory of member states by other actors. Its budget for 2024 is $197 million.
