US imposes sanctions on ICC president, conflict with The Hague deepens

The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against Tomoko Akane, the Japanese judge who heads the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague. This is another punitive step taken by the United States against the institution.

The new measures come as the confrontation between President Donald Trump’s administration and the ICC is growing increasingly fierce. The United States is not a member of the court.

The conflict between Washington and the court is also linked to the arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Over these measures, the US administration sanctioned several ICC prosecutors and judges last year.

Another issue that has prompted US criticism is the International Criminal Court’s previous investigation into the actions of US troops in Afghanistan.

The sanctions entail blocking any assets the affected individuals may have under US jurisdiction. They also restrict their access to the US financial system, a measure with far-reaching effects because of the strong ties between international banks and the US financial system.

The confrontation has also moved onto the diplomatic front. In June, three ICC judges filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump and his administration, calling the imposition of sanctions unlawful.

Last month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would step up its efforts to weaken the International Criminal Court. The strategy also includes a diplomatic campaign to persuade other countries to withdraw from the institution.

According to the US administration, the ICC poses a threat to US personnel. This category includes officials implementing the Trump administration’s tough immigration policies, individuals involved in operations against vessels suspected of transporting drugs, as well as members of the US armed forces.

The International Criminal Court has opposed Washington’s latest sanctions, warning of their consequences.

“US sanctions against key members of the International Criminal Court undermine the rule of law,” the ICC said in a statement.

The institution emphasized that threats against judges and justice officials simply for enforcing the law endanger not only the functioning of the court, but also the international legal order itself.