• Spanish Foreign Ministry calls sanctions 'a further attack on the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the International Criminal Court, seriously undermining its work'

GENEVA

The Netherlands and Spain on Thursday criticized the latest US sanctions on two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressing the need to protect the independence of international justice mechanisms.

In a post on the US social media platform X, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said: "The Netherlands disapproves of the latest US sanctions against two judges of the International Criminal Court."

"International courts and tribunals must be able to freely carry out their mandates," he said, adding that the Netherlands would "continue to work with partners to this end."

He reaffirmed his country’s backing for the court, saying: "We support the Court and its staff."

Spain echoed the message, saying the sanctions represent "a further attack on the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the International Criminal Court, seriously undermining its work."

Underlining the Court's "indispensable role in ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes against humanity and in contributing to reparations for victims," the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its "unequivocal" support for the Court and expressed its full solidarity with the judges, prosecutors and all ICC staff affected by the decisions.

"Spain will continue to fully comply with its commitments under the Rome Statute and International Law, respecting and guaranteeing the full exercise of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court," it added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions Thursday on ICC judges Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia, accusing them of being "directly engaged" in "the illegitimate targeting of Israel."

The US had previously sanctioned ICC officials for authorizing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.