Egypt Daily News – European Union leaders and members of the European Parliament responded on Tuesday to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), considering this move a threat to the court’s independence and an undermining of the international criminal justice system.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC, following the court’s issuance of arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israeli war on Gaza.
Under the ICC’s laws, its member states are obligated to execute arrest warrants if the wanted individuals enter their territories. However, the court does not have independent enforcement mechanisms, and neither the United States nor Israel are member states or recognize its judicial authority.
In a statement issued by the White House last week, Trump described the International Criminal Court (ICC) as having “unlawfully expanded its jurisdiction” and “initiated preliminary investigations against individuals from the United States and some of its allies, including Israel.” He added that the court “issued baseless arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.”
In a direct response to this move, European Council President António Costa stated on Friday that the U.S. sanctions threaten the independence of the ICC and set a dangerous precedent that could undermine international criminal justice mechanisms.
During a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, members of Parliament expressed their concerns, emphasizing the need to protect the ICC and its staff from any political pressure.
Adam Złakowski, the Polish Minister for European Union Affairs, highlighted the crucial role of the court in delivering justice to victims of “the most heinous crimes in the world,” expressing regret over its continued exposure to “threats, intimidation, and pressure.” He added, “Any threat against the International Criminal Court, its staff, and representatives is absolutely unacceptable.”
For his part, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath warned of the serious repercussions of U.S. sanctions on the ongoing investigations at the court, noting that they undermine “years of efforts to ensure accountability for crimes worldwide.” He affirmed that the European Union recognizes the urgent need to support the ICC both financially and diplomatically, adding, “We will continue to use all available tools to protect the International Criminal Court.”
During the debate, Dutch Member of the European Parliament Raquel García Hermida-Van der Vaal (Renew) criticized Trump’s decision, stating that it not only targets prosecutors but also attacks “civilian staff who have dedicated their careers to supporting peace and security.” She directly questioned the Polish Presidency of the Council about its commitment to unconditionally supporting the ICC and whether it would take a firm stance against member states attempting to undermine international law.
Amid these developments, the European Union continues to adopt a decisive position in defending the ICC, reaffirming its commitment to protecting legal institutions that ensure international justice, despite escalating tensions with the United States over this issue.
