Over 70 countries warn US sanctions on ICC heighten ‘risk of impunity’ for grave crimes - World News

Measures sanctioning the Court, its officials and staff, and those cooperating with it have been adopted in response to the Court carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Rome Statute,

the statement read

These sanctions represent a blatant disregard for the rule of law as the bedrock of modern international relations,

Musar said in a statement

The U.S. is sending a dangerous message: that ICC judges will be punished simply for pursuing justice against those suspected of grave crimes,

she said

We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC,

a group of 79 countries said in a joint statement

Such measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law, which is crucial for promoting global order and security,

continues the joint statement

We regret any attempts to undermine the court's independence, integrity and impartiality,

the 79 nations continued in their statement, acknowledging the "ICC's indispensable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law, and fostering lasting respect for international law and human rights."

Dick Schoofdutch Prime Minister

We don't know the exact impact yet, but it could make the court's work very hard and possibly impossible in certain areas,

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof told reporters

We will do all we can to make sure the court can fulfill its tasks,

he said ... adding he

International criminal law is an essential element to fighting impunity, which is unfortunately widespread,

Haq said

We trust that any restrictions taken against individuals would be implemented consistently with the host country's obligations under the UN Headquarters agreement,

deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Friday

Sanctions would severely undermine all situations currently under investigation as the Court may have to close its field offices,

the 79 countries - who make up about two-thirds of the court's members - said in a statement

The Court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world,

the court said in a statement

We know that relations between the U.S. and ICC have a long history,

said Tykhyi

We are convinced that the ICC will continue to fulfil important functions in Ukraine's case, in particular bringing Russian war criminals to responsibility,

foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said at a press briefing in Ukraine's capital

Zachary D. Kaufmanamerican legal academic

The sanctions... do have the potential of freezing property and assets, as well as suspending entry into the United States of ICC officials and their immediate family members,

Zachary Kaufman told the BBC World Service

Europe will always stand for justice and the respect of international law,

she said

Sanctions could complicate the communications channels between Israeli citizens and the court, but victims are ever more committed to have direct contact with the court and to pursue the justice they deserve,

Gvirsman said in an interview with Reuters

It will be a dilemma for the court how to engage with Israeli citizens and assess if contact with the court endangers them,

she said

Companies and organisations might just stop doing business with the ICC because it’s too much of a risk,

said James Patrick Sexton, PhD Researcher at the TMC Asser Instituut and University of Amsterdam

I think this is an existential threat for the ICC. It’s a real make-or-break moment,

said Sexton