European judicial groups condemn U.S. threats against the ICC

European judicial organizations have issued a joint statement condemning threats made by the United States government against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The European Network of Councils for the Judiciary, the Network of Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union, and the International Association of Judges reaffirmed their support for the independence of the ICC, its judges, prosecutors, and staff.

The condemnation follows comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested the ICC could be dismantled ‘stone by stone’ due to concerns regarding U.S. sovereignty. Current tensions include U.S. sanctions against ICC personnel, which have resulted in the revocation of travel visas and the blocking of credit cards. Some judges involved in legal actions against these measures have described the impact as a ‘financial death penalty.’

Henk Naves, chairman of the Council for the Judiciary, stated that European nations must move beyond mere words of disapproval and take concrete actions to support the ICC and uphold international law.