UN human rights office urges Trump to reverse ICC sanctions

GENEVA

The UN human rights office on Friday said it "deeply regrets" US President Donald Trump’s recent executive order sanctioning officials of the International Criminal Court, urging the measure to be reversed.

"We fully support the independent work of the Court – across all situations within its jurisdiction," spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told media in a statement, underlining that the court "is a central institution of the international criminal justice system and fundamental to ensuring justice and achieving accountability for the most serious crimes."

"We deeply regret the individual sanctions announced yesterday against Court personnel, and call for this measure to be reversed," she urged.

"The Court should be fully able to undertake its independent work - where a State is unwilling or unable genuinely to carry out the investigation or prosecution, as stated in the Rome Statute. The Court is an essential part of the human rights infrastructure.

"The rule of law remains essential to our collective peace and security. Seeking accountability globally makes the world a safer place for everyone," she said.

Trump on Thursday signed an executive order sanctioning the ICC and accused it of "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel."

Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant face arrest warrants issued by The Hague-based court in November last year for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

GENEVA

"We deeply regret the individual sanctions announced yesterday against Court personnel, and call for this measure to be reversed," she urged.

"The rule of law remains essential to our collective peace and security. Seeking accountability globally makes the world a safer place for everyone," she said.

Trump on Thursday signed an executive order sanctioning the ICC and accused it of "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel."

Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant face arrest warrants issued by The Hague-based court in November last year for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.