In a dramatic and unprecedented move, the Trump administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing what it called “illegitimate and baseless” investigations into alleged war crimes committed by US troops in Afghanistan and the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The judges sanctioned are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, according to a statement issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“As ICC judges, these four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel,” Rubio said. “The ICC is politicised and falsely claims unfettered discretion to investigate, charge, and prosecute nationals of the United States and our allies.”
The ICC has been pursuing investigations into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity involving US military personnel during the conflict in Afghanistan, as well as Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories.
The court has not yet responded publicly to the announcement.
Melissa Enoch
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