ICC braces for potential U.S. sanctions under Trump, jeopardizing its operations and existence.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is confronting a significant challenge as it anticipates aggressive economic sanctions from the incoming administration of President Donald Trump. These potential measures could severely disrupt the court’s operations and threaten its very existence.
Anticipated U.S. Sanctions
Following the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants in November against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impose sanctions on the ICC. Republican leaders have indicated that the Senate will soon vote on this legislation. However, ICC officials fear that President Trump may expedite the process by issuing an executive order to implement sanctions swiftly.
Potential Impact on ICC Operations
The ICC is preparing for a “worst-case scenario” where sanctions target not only individual officials but the institution as a whole. Such sanctions could block the court’s access to essential services, including banking systems, IT infrastructure, and insurance providers. A particular concern is the ICC’s reliance on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform for storing evidence; losing access could paralyze ongoing investigations.
Historical Context of U.S. Sanctions
This is not the first time the ICC has faced U.S. sanctions. In 2020, the Trump administration imposed travel bans and asset freezes on then-Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and another senior official in response to investigations into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The ICC condemned these actions as “an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the rule of law and the Court’s judicial proceedings.”
International Reactions
The prospect of new sanctions has elicited concern from the international community. Päivi Kaukoranta, president of the ICC’s governing body, stated that sanctions could severely hamper the court’s investigations and affect the safety of victims, witnesses, and sanctioned individuals. She emphasized that the court’s work must proceed without interference.
The ICC stands at a critical juncture as it braces for potential sanctions from the United States. The outcome of this situation will have profound implications for international justice and the court’s ability to hold individuals accountable for serious crimes.