The United States sanctions judges from the International Criminal Court, which denounces « an attack on an independent institution »-Liberation

The announced measures usually target criminals or dictators. After Launched the procedure in Februarythe United States of Donald Trump sanctioned Thursday evening June 5, four magistrates from the International Criminal Court (ICC), believing that their procedures targeting American soldiers or the Israeli executive were « Illegitimate » And « Politicized ».

The targeted magistrates are Solomy Balungi Bossa and Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, at the origin of CPI surveys on alleged war crimes of American soldiers in Afghanistan. But also Queen Alapini Gansou and Beti Hohler, who authorized the ICC to emit Mandates against Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahuand his former Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant. The judges had considered that there were « Reasonable patterns » to suspect the two men of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the war in Gaza.

The four magistrates are prohibited from entering American soil and their assets detained in the United States are frozen. “We did not make this decision lightly. This reflects the serious threat represented by the politicization and abuse of power of the ICC « said the United States Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. « These four people actively participate in the illegitimate and unfounded actions of the ICC targeting the United States and our close ally « Israeladds the State Department.

In February, the United States had already taken sanctions against the CPI prosecutor Karim Khan, who had initiated this procedure against the Israeli executive. The prosecutor has since been backbecause targeted by an investigation for « Presumed fault ».

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu reacted by thanking the American president early this Friday morning and his administration for this initiative this Friday morning. « Thank you to President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio for imposing sanctions against the politicized judges of the ICC. You rightly defended the right of Israel, the United States and all democracies to defend themselves against wild terrorism ”wrote the Israeli leader on X.

The International Criminal Court reacted quickly, denouncing in a press release « A manifest attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution which operates under the mandate of 125 states parties of the whole world ». « The ICC fully supports its staff and will continue its work without being discouraged »added the institution. “Targeting those who work for justice does not contribute to helping civilians trapped in conflicts. This only causes those who believe they can act with impunity ”she continued.

According to Liz Evenson, of the human rights organization Human Rights Watch, American sanctions « Aim to dissuade the ICC from designating managers of serious crimes committed in Israel and Palestine when Israeli atrocities are increasing in Gazaincluding with the complicity of the United States ”. « The sanctions must be used to end human rights violations, not to punish those who seek to do justice for the most serious crimes »she added.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also called on the United States to withdraw these sanctions. « Such attacks are deeply harmful to good governance and good administration of justice », said Volker Türk, in a statement sent to the media, while the European Union said, by the voice of the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, support « Force » The ICC, which “Not opposing the nations, it opposes impunity. We must protect its independence and integrity. « 

Neither the United States nor Israel is members of the ICC, a permanent jurisdiction responsible for continuing and judging individuals accused of genocide, crime against humanity and war crime. They do not recognize its ability to continue their nationals.

During Donald Trump’s first term, the ICC, in particular its procure at the time, Fatou Bensouda, had already been the target of American sanctions – lifted by Joe Biden shortly after coming to power in 2021.

Updated : at 11:20 am with the declarations of the European Union and the UN High Commissioner