Washington:The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), aiming to limit its resources and operational capacity. This move comes just hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was announced as the winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
According to Qatar News Agency, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sanctions include a ban on transactions with the Court, effectively cutting off its resources. This action escalates the ongoing campaign against the tribunal by President Donald Trump's administration.
Rubio emphasized that the objective of the sanctions is to pressure the ICC to address US concerns. He remarked, "Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC," suggesting that the sanctions provide an opportunity for the Court and states parties to the Rome Statute to address these issues.
The US Treasury Department introduced the sanctions with a six-month grace period for certain transactions and issued general licenses. These licenses authorize specific dealings related to communications, enterprise software, pension payments, and transactions involving detainees.
The sanctions also extend to companies providing services to the ICC, which could restrict its ability to manage financial transactions and access essential services like banking, insurance, and technology.