The United States has announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Washington will ban transactions with the tribunal in an effort to restrict its resources and operations.
In a video statement supplied to JAM Radio, Rubio presented the move as a defence of American sovereignty and said President Donald Trump would oppose efforts by the court to prosecute US citizens, military personnel or political leaders. The announcement was also reported on Friday, 9 October, by Reuters and Associated Press.
“That’s why today the United States is sanctioning the International Criminal Court,” Rubio said in the supplied recording.
He said the transaction restrictions were intended to cut off the court’s resources and limit its ability to act against Americans. He also urged US allies that belong to the ICC to intervene, saying Washington would continue its campaign against the institution if they did not.
Reuters reported that targeting the court itself would go further than previous sanctions against individual prosecutors and judges, potentially affecting businesses that provide it with services. The recording does not set out the measure’s detailed legal scope, effective date or any exemptions.
“The United States and the American people are not subject to the jurisdiction of this fake ICC,” Rubio said.
Rubio’s account of the court’s authority represents the US administration’s position. The ICC’s own jurisdiction guidance says it can investigate alleged Rome Statute crimes committed by nationals of countries outside the treaty when the alleged offences took place in a member state, or a state that has accepted its jurisdiction. UN Security Council referrals provide another route. US non-membership does not, by itself, resolve every question of jurisdiction.
The court investigates genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Its role is to complement national justice systems rather than replace them, according to its official explanation of how it works.
This is a developing story. Details of the new restrictions and a response from the court will be added when verified.
