US escalates campaign to dismantle International Criminal Court

On 13 July, the United States announced a coordinated "whole‑of‑government" effort to pressure states to withdraw from the Rome Statute, impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, judges, prosecutors and organisations that cooperate with the court. The plan also includes expanded sanctions against civil‑society groups supporting victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression. This move follows an executive order issued in February 2025 under the previous administration that targeted the ICC. Human‑rights organisations and legal scholars have condemned the campaign, arguing it undermines an institution created by 125 sovereign states to ensure accountability when national systems fail. The United States had previously backed ICC investigations in cases such as Sudan and Ukraine, making the current strategy a sharp reversal in its stance toward international criminal justice.