ICC condemns Rubio’s sanctions targeting court president and prosecutor
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned the U.S. decision to sanction its president, tomoko Akane, from Japan, and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye from Senegal, as part of efforts by the Trump governance to undermine the court and protect U.S. sovereignty. These sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are viewed as a direct attack on the independence of the ICC, which prosecutes serious crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity. The ICC criticized the sanctions, warning they threaten the rule of law and the court’s impartiality, with nine of its judges and some prosecutors being targeted. International voices, including the United Nations and European leaders, have condemned the measures and called for the protection of judicial independence. Japan, the court’s home country, expressed disappointment over the U.S. actions but reaffirmed its commitment to international law. The sanctions are part of a broader U.S. effort initiated in February 2025, following the ICC’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to weaken the court, which the U.S. has never officially joined, citing concerns over jurisdiction and sovereignty. Historically, U.S. cooperation with the ICC has fluctuated,with recent administrations maintaining a cautious stance towards the institution.
The International Criminal Court and leaders around the world are condemning the Trump administration’s decision to sanction the court’s president and a senior trial lawyer.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane, of Japan, and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, of Senegal, on Wednesday. The measures are part of a broader administration effort to “systematically dismantle the ICC until it is incapable of threatening American sovereignty.”
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The ICC condemned the sanctions, calling them “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution” and warning that targeting its judges, prosecutors, and staff threatens the rule of law.
“As a result of these designations, at present, nine of the eighteen Judges, both of the two Deputy-Prosecutors, the former Prosecutor and one staff member have been sanctioned by the United States,” the court said.
“Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff who work towards the fulfilment of the mandate that was conferred to the ICC by States undermine the rule of law,” the court added.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called the sanctions “unacceptable” and urged countries to defend international institutions established to protect human rights and the rule of law.
European leaders also rallied behind the court.
European Council President Antonio Costa said he “stand[s] firmly with the [International Criminal Court], President Tomoko Akane and the officials who uphold its mission.”
The Netherlands also criticized the move, with Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen saying the country “disapproves of the latest sanctions against officials and staff of the International Criminal Court.”
“International courts and tribunals must be able to freely carry out their mandates,” Berendsen said.
Spain likewise condemned the sanctions, saying international courts “must exercise their functions independently and free from interference” and pledging continued support for the ICC.
Japan, Akane’s home country, said it was “very unfortunate” that the U.S. had targeted the ICC president.
“Japan will remain committed to strengthening the rule of law in the international community, while maintaining communication with related countries,” Japan’s Foreign Ministry said.
The Trump administration began imposing sanctions on the ICC and its officials in February 2025, escalating tensions with the court after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Rubio announced a broader effort in July to isolate the ICC, accusing the court of seeking to undermine U.S. sovereignty.
Rubio sanctions ICC leaders to stop ‘sham’ court from trying ‘pretend offenses’
The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The U.S. has never joined the court and has maintained that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over Americans without U.S. consent.
U.S. cooperation with the ICC has varied across administrations, with the Obama and Biden administrations generally taking a more cooperative approach toward the institution.
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