UN chief condemns US sanctions on ICC as international backlash grows

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the US decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court, saying he was "deeply alarmed by the expected impact" of the measures. "Today's decision marks a serious blow to our collective pursuit of international criminal justice, of which the ICC is a key pillar," Stephane Dujarric, the secretary-general's spokesman, told reporters. Dujarric added that Guterres reiterated his "unwavering support for the independence of the Court and its officials". The UN chief's remarks add to a growing wave of condemnation from US allies, following earlier statements by the EU and a group of countries including Germany, France, the UK, and Japan. Spain deplored the measures, while Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, whose country hosts the court, said the six-month period before the sanctions take effect "creates scope for dialogue." Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot called for activating the EU Blocking Statute to shield the court, while the German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said it was "utterly staggering" that the United States, which championed the Nuremberg trials, was now setting out to destroy international criminal law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant, praised the decision, calling the court "a political body that poses a mortal threat to law-abiding democracies".