The international community must stand against the US administration’s approach, which threatens the world’s new justice system.
Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) condemned the US imposition of sanctioning against personnel of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who were conducting investigations into crimes committed in Afghanistan by American soldiers and officers.
AOHR UK added that yesterday’s announcement of these sanctions by the Foreign Minister poses a challenge for the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court and for the international community, which seek to hold accountable all those who have committed serious crimes falling within the jurisdiction of this court.
President Donald Trump has previously made several threats against the activities conducted by the ICC in Afghanistan and Palestine, threatening to impose sanctions on its personnel, and refusing to allow the prosecution of any American or Israeli for crimes they committed.
AOHR UK criticised the unethical approach of the US administration, describing its intention to impose sanctions on international justice enforcement personnel as an unprecedented threat, adding that it would put their lives at great risk.
AOHR UK stressed the uncontrolled nature of the US administration and how its disregard for international law would encourage individuals and state organisations to commit more crimes against innocent civilians, siting as an example those occurring daily in Palestine.
AOHR UK commended the ICC’s response to these threats and sanctions, in its willingness to continue its investigations into cases brought before it, emphasising this is an independent court which derives its legitimacy from its 123 state parties.
AOHR(UK) concluded, it is incumbent on the international community to resist US pressure and to uphold and support the ICC conducting its investigations with integrity and transparency into any crime within its jurisdiction anywhere in the world.
AOHR UK called on the UN Secretary General and the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC to take the necessary measures to resist these threats, to work with all active forces to support the ICC and to prevent the US administration from imposing its chaotic agenda on the ICC, as any attempt to disrupt justice is in itself a crime.
