Trump Signs Executive Order Imposing Sanctions on International Court
In a move that has sparked widespread criticism and concern, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials. The order, which was announced on Friday, targets the ICC’s efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by US personnel and allies.
The executive order, titled "Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to the International Criminal Court," authorizes the US Secretary of State to impose sanctions on ICC officials, including judges, prosecutors, and investigators, who are involved in investigations or prosecutions targeting US personnel or allies. The order also allows the Secretary of State to freeze the assets of these individuals and prohibit US citizens from engaging in transactions with them.
The move is seen as a response to the ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes committed by US personnel in Afghanistan. In November 2017, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, announced that she had opened an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by US forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2014. The investigation is focused on alleged crimes committed by US personnel, including torture, cruel treatment, and murder.
The Trump administration has long been critical of the ICC and has accused the court of being biased against the US and its allies. In 2018, the US withdrew from the ICC’s Rome Statute, which established the court’s jurisdiction and procedures. The administration has also threatened to impose sanctions on ICC officials and to take other measures to undermine the court’s authority.
The executive order has been widely criticized by human rights groups and legal experts, who argue that it is an attempt to intimidate and silence the ICC and its officials. "This executive order is a clear attempt to bully and intimidate the ICC and its officials," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. "It is a threat to the rule of law and to the ability of the ICC to hold accountable those who commit serious crimes."
The order has also been criticized by many legal experts, who argue that it is unconstitutional and violates international law. "The executive order is a clear violation of the US Constitution and international law," said Harold Koh, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. "It is an attempt to undermine the ICC’s authority and to silence its officials, and it is a threat to the rule of law and to the ability of the ICC to hold accountable those who commit serious crimes."
The ICC has also condemned the executive order, saying that it is a "clear attempt to intimidate and silence the court and its officials." "The ICC is an independent and impartial institution, and it will continue to carry out its mandate to investigate and prosecute serious crimes, regardless of any attempts to intimidate or silence it," said ICC spokesperson Fadi El-Abdallah.
The executive order is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to undermine the ICC and to challenge its authority. The administration has also threatened to impose sanctions on ICC officials and to take other measures to undermine the court’s authority. The move is seen as a major blow to the ICC and to the rule of law, and it has sparked widespread concern and criticism around the world.
