Brussels:The European Union has renewed its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and urged the United States to reverse its decision to impose sanctions on the court.
According to Anadolu Agency, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a written statement on behalf of the bloc, expressing regret over the US's actions and emphasizing that threats or attacks against the ICC, its officials, personnel, or those cooperating with the court are unacceptable.
Kallas highlighted the EU's commitment to the rules-based international order, underscoring the ICC's role in holding accountable those who violate international law by committing serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. She noted that the ICC acts only when a state is unwilling or unable to prosecute such crimes.
The EU welcomed Washington's willingness to discuss its concerns with States Parties to the Rome Statute and acknowledged the US decision to delay the enforcement of its latest measures. Kallas stressed the importance of the ICC operating independently, without external interference, and reaffirmed the EU's full support for the court.
The EU's statement came in response to an announcement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who introduced new sanctions against the ICC and threatened to dismantle the court unless it ceased its activities perceived as threatening by the US.
The ICC, located in The Hague, serves as an independent tribunal dedicated to prosecuting individuals accused of the gravest international crimes.