EU vows to protect ICC from US sanctions as governments rally behind court

The European Union on Friday condemned US sanctions on the International Criminal Court as “deeply regrettable” and pledged to take “any necessary measures” to ensure The Hague-based tribunal can continue its work. In a statement, the European Commission said it would work closely with the ICC to safeguard its operations. It added that the six-month delay before the sanctions take effect offered “room for dialogue”. The ICC called the sanctions "an assault on the rule of law and on the very foundations of the international legal order", warning that "history will judge this moment". Several governments have also voiced support for the court. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Norway and other countries were assessing how to protect the ICC and prevent the sanctions from taking effect. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Prevot strongly condemned the measures, while the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the UK issued a joint statement on the ICC.