European countries concerned about new US sanctions on ICC judges

BRUSSELS

Several European countries voiced concern Friday about new US sanctions imposed on two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reaffirming their support for the Court's independence and ability to carry out its judicial mandate without political pressure.

The Finnish Foreign Ministry said on US social media platform X that it "deeply regrets" the US decision to sanction the judges, stressing that the court must be able to function freely.

In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry said Paris had taken note of the new sanctions targeting, as it urged Washington to withdraw all measures taken against the Court.

"France condemns all forms of threats and coercive measures against the ICC, its staff and civil society organizations supporting the court," it said, warning that the sanctions amount to an attack on the institution and the 125 states party to the Rome Statute.

Belgium expressed concern about the decision, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot saying the sanctions "further undermine judicial independence and efforts to fight impunity."

"Belgium strongly regrets the new additional sanctions of the US against two judges of the @IntlCrimCourt," Prevot wrote on X, adding that Brussels would continue to support the Court in carrying out its mandate independently and impartially.

Denmark echoed similar concerns, with the Foreign Affairs Ministry saying Copenhagen "deeply regrets" the US decision and reaffirmed its unwavering support for the ICC as an independent and impartial judicial institution.

Other European countries, including Spain, the Netherlands and Norway, have also voiced concern about the sanctions and reiterated their support for the Court's independence.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions Thursday against ICC judges Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia, accusing them of being "directly engaged" in "the illegitimate targeting of Israel."

In response, the ICC said it "strongly rejects" the sanctions and labelled the move a "flagrant attack" against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.

The latest measures follow previous US sanctions imposed on ICC officials involved in authorizing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant -- warrants accusing both officials of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has killed more than 70,600 victims, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,100 people in attacks in Gaza since October 2023, which have continued despite a truce being signed in October.