The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on the United States to immediately lift the recently imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), denouncing the move as a clear violation of the rule of law and judicial independence.
“I urge a reconsideration of these latest measures and call for their immediate withdrawal,” Türk said in an official statement. “Attacks against judges for carrying out their judicial responsibilities, at either the national or international level, are inconsistent with respect for the rule of law.”
Washington Targets ICC Over Israel and Afghanistan Cases
The High Commissioner’s remarks follow the announcement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who on Thursday revealed that sanctions would be imposed on four ICC judges. He accused them of “illegitimate targeting” of the United States and Israel through ongoing investigations.
These sanctions were issued in response to the ICC’s historic decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as for its continued probe into alleged war crimes committed by US forces in Afghanistan.
Four Female Judges Sanctioned
The four sanctioned judges are all women known for their long-standing commitment to international justice:
- Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda)
- Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza (Peru)
- Reine Alapini-Gansou (Benin)
- Betty Kaari Murungi Hohler (Slovenia)
The sanctions reportedly include asset freezes and travel bans to the United States, as part of Washington’s attempt to deter further legal actions from the ICC.
Mounting Concern Over Political Pressure on International Courts
This latest move adds to the ongoing tensions between the US and the International Criminal Court, an institution Washington has never ratified but has frequently criticized when its actions affect American interests or close allies.
Human rights organizations have expressed deep concern over what they describe as political retaliation that threatens the independence and legitimacy of international judicial bodies.
While the ICC has not yet issued an official response, diplomats in The Hague warn that external political pressure could seriously undermine the Court’s authority and credibility, particularly at a time when the Court seeks to affirm its global role in the fight against impunity.
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