ICC member-state bureau urges US to withdraw sanctions immediately
In short
The bureau of the International Criminal Court's Assembly of States Parties called on October 10 for the immediate withdrawal of US sanctions against the court. The 21-country bureau, which includes Japan, also sought the removal of sanctions against individuals, including the court's president.
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The bureau of the International Criminal Court's Assembly of States Parties issued a statement on October 10 urging the United States to withdraw its sanctions against the court immediately, Japanese outlets reported. The statement followed the US designation of the court itself as a sanctions target on October 9. It also sought the withdrawal of sanctions previously imposed on individuals, including ICC president Tomoko Akane (赤根智子) and other judges. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The bureau expressed regret over the decision to sanction the court as an institution. Jiji Press reported that it criticised the measure, which followed sanctions against individual officials, as an attempt to obstruct the independent judicial functions of the court and its staff. Tokyo Shimbun and the Kyodo report carried by Yahoo! News Japan said the statement condemned the expanded sanctions as an unprecedented use of coercive measures. [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]
The bureau is made up of 21 countries, including Japan. It is elected by the Assembly of States Parties, whose membership comprises 125 countries and territories, according to the reports. Jiji Press identified the ICC's headquarters as The Hague in the Netherlands and said the statement reaffirmed support for the court while urging the international community to defend it in the face of the sanctions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Tokyo Shimbun and Yahoo! News Japan reported that the bureau pledged support for the ICC, its personnel and people who cooperate with its work. The statement reiterated the importance of cooperation with the court by all member states. It also appealed to countries outside the membership to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the global rule of law and take a firm position in defence of the ICC. [ 3 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The bureau said the sanctions were an attempt to obstruct the court and its staff in carrying out independent judicial functions. It called for international support for the court and for continued cooperation by member states.
Key facts
- The bureau issued its statement on October 10 after the US targeted the court itself with sanctions on October 9. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The bureau consists of 21 countries, including Japan, and is elected by the assembly of 125 member countries and territories. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The demand covers sanctions against the court and against individuals, including president Tomoko Akane (赤根智子). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Sankei Shimbun reports the bureau's October 10 statement on October 11. [ 1 ]