Japan, UK, France, Germany and four others 'strongly oppose' US sanctions on the ICC
In short
Foreign ministers of eight countries, including Japan, Britain, France and Germany, issued a joint statement saying they regret and strongly oppose the Trump administration's decision to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) itself. The statement says the sanctions, if implemented, would seriously affect the court's work and staff, and reaffirms support for the court's independence and impartiality.
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Foreign ministers of eight countries issued a joint statement saying they 'regret and strongly oppose' US sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The statement was signed by Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Japan, Mainichi Shimbun reported. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the statement followed the Trump administration's announcement that it would designate the ICC itself as a target of sanctions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Mainichi Shimbun, Japan's Foreign Ministry released the statement in the early hours of October 10, issued jointly with seven countries including Britain and France. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the German Foreign Office published the statement on October 9. [ 1 , 3 ]
In the statement, the ministers reaffirmed their support for the court's independence and impartiality. They said the sanctions, if implemented, would seriously affect the court's work and its staff; Mainichi Shimbun reported that the statement also mentions the staff's families. The statement describes the ICC and its staff as working every day to bring to justice those accused of the most serious international crimes and to support victims, Mainichi Shimbun reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
The ministers said they would continue to cooperate and support the court's important activities. Mainichi Shimbun reported that the statement also pledges to uphold the rules-based international order and promote accountability. In a separate headline, Jiji Press reported that the EU pointed to room for dialogue with the United States; no further detail was given. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The statement puts Japan, Canada and six European countries on record against a US measure aimed at the ICC itself. The ministers said the sanctions would seriously affect the court's work, and they pledged to keep supporting it. Jiji Press reported that the EU pointed to room for dialogue with the United States.
Key facts
- The joint statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Japan. [ 1 ]
- The statement responds to the US decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The ministers said they regret and strongly oppose the US sanctions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The statement says the sanctions, if implemented, would seriously affect the court's work and its staff; Mainichi Shimbun reported that it also mentions staff members' families. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The ministers reaffirmed their support for the ICC's independence and impartiality. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Japan's Foreign Ministry released the statement in the early hours of October 10, Mainichi Shimbun reported; TBS NEWS DIG reported that the German Foreign Office released it on October 9. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Foreign ministers of eight countries, including Japan, Britain, France and Germany, issued a joint statement strongly opposing US sanctions on the ICC. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The statement says the ministers regret the US sanctions. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The statement warns that the sanctions, if implemented, would seriously affect the ICC's work and staff. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The statement expresses support for the ICC's independence and impartiality and pledges continued cooperation to support the court's important activities. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The EU pointed to 'room for dialogue' with the United States over the sanctions. Reported only in a Jiji Press headline, with no further detail.
- Whether the US sanctions on the ICC have already taken effect. The statement refers to the impact 'if' the sanctions are implemented, and the documents do not give their timing or scope.
- The release date of the statement. Mainichi Shimbun says Japan's Foreign Ministry issued it early on October 10, while TBS NEWS DIG says the German Foreign Office released it on October 9; the documents do not say whether this reflects time zones.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Mainichi Shimbun reports that Japan's Foreign Ministry issued the joint statement with seven other countries in the early hours of October 10. [ 1 ]
- Jiji Press reports that the eight foreign ministers stressed they strongly oppose the US sanctions on the ICC. [ 2 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports that the German Foreign Office released the eight-country statement on October 9. [ 3 ]
- Jiji Press reports the eight countries' opposition and says the EU pointed to room for dialogue with the US. [ 4 ]