{"id":462687,"date":"2026-08-19T17:04:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T15:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eunews.it\/2026\/08\/19\/gli-usa-colpiscono-ancora-la-corte-penale-internazionale-ue-i-giudici-devono-agire-senza-pressioni\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T18:19:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T16:19:37","slug":"the-us-strikes-another-blow-against-the-international-criminal-court-eu-judges-must-act-free-from-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eunews.it\/en\/2026\/08\/19\/the-us-strikes-another-blow-against-the-international-criminal-court-eu-judges-must-act-free-from-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"The US strikes another blow against the International Criminal Court. EU: \u201cJudges must act free from pressure\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brussels \u2013 Washington\u2019s attack on the International Criminal Court (ICC) is intensifying, with the European Union expressing its support on social media in an attempt to defend the rules-based international order and international law. Following the new sanctions announced by the United States against the President of the Court, Tomoko Akane of Japan, and Deputy Prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal<\/strong>, Brussels is taking a stand in defence of the institution based in The Hague. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa have expressed their support for the Court<\/a>, to Akane and the \u201cofficials who uphold its mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ICC helps deliver justice to the victims of some of the world\u2019s most horrific crimes,\u201d wrote the two leaders in a joint post on X<\/a>. \u201cTo carry out this vital work, its judges and officials must be able to act independently and free from external pressure<\/strong>,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n

Rubio: \u201cThe ICC is a threat to US sovereignty\u201d<\/h4>\n

The message comes after the latest crackdown by Donald Trump\u2019s administration against the international court<\/b><\/a>. The sanctions were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio<\/strong>, a key figure in Washington\u2019s new diplomatic campaign to weaken and, according to the United States\u2019 stated intentions, \u201cdismantle\u201d the International Criminal Court.<\/p>\n

Rubio described the Court as \u201ca corrupt and irredeemably politicised supranational tribunal<\/strong>,\u201d accusing it of having \u201cdeliberately abused its authority\u201d and of having exceeded its mandate. According to the Secretary of State, the ICC has also attempted to exercise its jurisdiction over US citizens and citizens of other countries that have not ratified the Rome Statute.<\/p>\n

It was on the basis of Executive Order 14203, signed by the Trump administration to impose sanctions on the ICC, that Rubio designated Akane and Seye. \u201cThese individuals have been directly involved in the ICC\u2019s efforts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute government officials from countries that have not consented to the Court\u2019s jurisdiction,\u201d he argued.<\/p>\n

Washington\u2019s decision marks the latest escalation in a campaign that Rubio has led personally.\n<\/p>\n

In July, the Secretary of State announced the launch of a diplomatic offensive <\/b><\/a>to “dismantle” what he considers a threat to American sovereignty,
\nalso promising to pressure other countries to cut off funding and
\nwithdraw from the Court<\/b><\/strong>. The proposed measures include further sanctions, visa restrictions, and diplomatic pressure on states that continue to cooperate with the institution. In July, spokespeople for the EU executive set out the EU\u2019s position on the matter<\/a>, explaining that the Commission stood by the International Criminal Court and considered any attack or threat against the ICC<\/strong>, its officials, and its staff \u201cunacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n