US imposes sanctions on ICC

US secretary of state Marco Rubio announced sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court, calling it a rogue court and threatening to cut off its resources.

“rogue court”

Eight nations reject the sanctions

The UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Denmark and the Netherlands issued a joint declaration stating they regret and strongly disagree with the US measures.

“regret and strongly disagree with”

US has long opposed the court

The US administration has been fiercely critical of the ICC over its investigation into US troops in Afghanistan and rejected its arrest warrant for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

ICC warns it cannot stand alone

The court said the sanctions were an attempt to obstruct justice and an assault on the rule of law, calling on member states to take concrete actions to protect it.

“an attempt to obstruct the course of justice”

Human rights groups demand collective action

The International Federation for Human Rights said the ICC's one hundred twenty five member states cannot establish a court to hold the powerful accountable and then stand by while it is dismantled.

“cannot establish a court to hold the powerful accountable and then stand by while it is being dismantled”