The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly rejected new sanctions announced by the United States against four of its personnel, asserting that the measures represent “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution” and a direct affront to victims of grave crimes worldwide[1]. The individuals targeted by the sanctions include judges Kimberly Prost (Canada) and Nicolas Guillou (France), as well as two deputy prosecutors: Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji) and Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal)[3]. The sanctions follow previous measures directed at other officials of the ICC.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the ICC as “a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel.”[1] The UN and civil society organizations have condemned these actions, stressing that judicial independence is a fundamental principle essential for respecting international justice, and warning that such measures undermine the foundation of a rules-based global order[1].
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published updated sanctions—adding the named ICC officials to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, and issuing General License 9 to authorize the wind-down of transactions involving them[3].
Meanwhile, global civil society groups, coordinated by the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, have condemned the sanctions and called for strengthened support for international justice. The Coalition highlights the role of the ICC and partner organizations in addressing and ending impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, advancing accountability worldwide[2].