NAIROBI, Kenya (Kaab TV) – The United Nations’ human rights chief Volker Türk has strongly condemned the U.S. government’s decision to impose sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling for their immediate withdrawal.
In a statement, Türk said he was “profoundly disturbed” by what he described as an attack on judicial independence.
“Targeting judges runs directly counter to respect for the rule of law and the equal protection of the law – values for which the United States has long stood,” Türk said.
The sanctions were announced on Thursday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused the ICC of “illegitimate and baseless actions” targeting the U.S. and Israel.
Rubio described the Court as “politicised” and claimed it was abusing its power by investigating nationals of the U.S. and its allies.
“This dangerous assertion and abuse of power infringes upon the sovereignty and national security of the United States and our allies, including Israel,” Rubio said.
He added that the ICC “falsely claims unfettered discretion” to launch such probes.
The U.S. sanctions target four female ICC judges: Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, Beti Hohler of Slovenia.
The measures require any property or financial interests held by the judges in the U.S. to be blocked and reported to the Treasury Department.
According to the State Department, Judges Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza had authorized the ICC’s investigation into alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan, while Judges Alapini Gansou and Hohler were involved in the decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.
In its response, the ICC said it “deplores” the sanctions, calling them “a clear attempt to undermine the Court’s independence.” The Court affirmed its support for its personnel and said it would continue its work “undeterred.”
“Targeting those working for accountability does nothing to help civilians trapped in conflict,” the ICC said. “These sanctions are not only directed at designated individuals; they also target all those who support the Court. They are aimed against innocent victims in all situations before the Court.”
Last year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, citing “reasonable grounds” to believe they were criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Gaza.
A similar warrant was issued for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, although Hamas later confirmed he was killed in an airstrike.
Both Israel and Hamas have rejected the allegations.
Netanyahu welcomed the U.S. move, thanking Rubio and President Donald Trump for “standing up for the right of Israel.”
Trump had previously imposed sanctions on the ICC, including against Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, accusing the Court of overreach.
The ICC is the world’s only permanent international tribunal with the authority to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Its recent efforts to hold powerful actors accountable have sparked increasing tensions with several major states, particularly the United States and Israel.