ICC Faces US Sanctions, Italians Call EU to Block Them

On 16‑17 July, a coalition of Italian political parties, civil organisations and activists gathered in Rome’s Piazzale Ugo La Malfa for a protest supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC). The mobilisation, organised by Eumans and the campaign “Non c’è Pace Senza Giustizia”, was backed by groups such as Azione, Più Europa, the Partito Democratico, ORA!, Radicali Italiani, Europa Radicale, Volt and others. Protesters demanded that the European Union immediately activate its “Statuto di blocco”, a legal tool intended to neutralise the extraterritorial impact of United States sanctions imposed on ICC judges, officials and collaborators.

The US sanctions have targeted ICC personnel after the Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as after a warrant was issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Italian appeal seeks to protect the Court’s independence and prevent further punitive measures against those working with the ICC.