Michael Hernandez
15 March 2019•Update: 16 March 2019
WASHINGTON
The U.S. is restricting visas for International Criminal Court (ICC) personnel who investigate or prosecute crimes suspected of being committed by U.S. forces, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Friday.
Washington, along with Russia, China and other nations, has resisted joining the global court over sovereignty concerns, and it was the focus of one of National Security Advisor John Bolton's first speeches after he assumed office last April.
The visa penalties apply to not only investigators, but to those who request an inquiry that could involve U.S. forces, Pompeo said, while insisting Washington already holds service members who violate military codes of conduct to account.
"We are determined to protect the American and allied military and civilian personnel from living in fear of unjust prosecution for actions taken to defend our great nation," Pompeo told reporters at the State Department.
The top U.S. diplomat said the U.S. is seeking to get the ICC to "change course" on a requested probe into Afghanistan that may ensnare U.S. and partner forces.
"If you’re responsible for the proposed ICC investigation of U.S. personnel in connection with the situation in Afghanistan, you should not assume that you will still have or will get a visa, or that you will be permitted to enter the United States," Pompeo warned.
The warning may apply to the ICC prosecutor who already requested the Afghanistan probe, but the U.S. does not comment on individual visa cases under domestic law.
