Now, the United States has imposed sanctions on the ICC.

Bangla Press Desk: The administration of US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) just hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This move, announced on Friday (October 9), has raised concerns about escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and its European allies.
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan condemned the sanctions, stating that they would not halt the court's operations. She remarked that the aim of these sanctions is to undermine the rule of international law and the functioning of an independent judicial institution. However, the court's investigations, judicial proceedings, and other activities will continue.
Established in 2002, the ICC adjudicates cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The Trump administration has long opposed the court; Washington had previously imposed sanctions on several of its prosecutors and judges. The latest measure, however, paves the way for punitive actions against entities that provide services to the court.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute US citizens. That is why the United States is imposing sanctions on the ICC today. We will prohibit dealings with this rogue court, block its access to assets, and cripple its operational capacity."
A primary reason for US grievances against the ICC is the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Washington also objects to the ICC's past investigations into the conduct of US troops in Afghanistan, although the court has indicated that this investigation is not currently being prioritized.
The ICC has 125 member states, including all European Union nations. Among NATO members, all countries except the United States and Turkey are also part of the court. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the court is recognized as a vital institution within the international justice system. Exemptions for Certain Transactions Amidst Sanctions
Immediately after announcing the sanctions, the US Treasury Department issued four general licenses. These provide exemptions for specific transactions involving the ICC related to telecommunications, software, pension payments, and matters concerning individuals detained by the court.
Typically, when subject to US sanctions, American entities are compelled to sever business ties with the affected organization. This can lead to consequences such as the closure of bank accounts, the withdrawal of insurance services, and the cessation of software supplies.
Sanctions had previously been imposed on several ICC officials during Trump's first term, only to be lifted later by the administration of President Joe Biden. New sanctions against court officials were announced just days after Trump returned to power in January 2025.
Anticipating the possibility of direct sanctions against the court itself, ICC authorities had been preparing for months. As part of this effort, initiatives were launched to replace Microsoft software on office computers with open-source alternatives. Efforts are also underway to establish alternative arrangements for banking and health insurance.
ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler urged the European Union this week to prepare a "blocking mechanism." Such a mechanism offers a way to shield European nations from the extraterritorial impact of US sanctions. Call for Allies to Increase Pressure on the ICC
Marco Rubio stated that the imposition of sanctions had been delayed to allow the ICC and the nations that signed the Rome Statute—the treaty establishing the court—an opportunity to address US concerns. However, they failed to take effective action in this regard.
He said, "Either the ICC stops its threats, or we will shut down the ICC. We hope our allies—many of whom are ICC members and rely on US troops for their own defense—will bring the court under control."
Rubio added that the US structured the move to allow ICC member states to address US concerns through dialogue. If these initiatives prove unsuccessful, further measures will be taken based on the situation. Nobel Laureate Navi Pillay’s Connection to the ICC
South African jurist Navi Pillay served as a judge in the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) from 2003 to 2008. On Friday, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her contributions to international criminal justice and international law.
The Nobel Committee stated that by awarding this prize, it sought to highlight the importance of international legal institutions at a time when they are facing political attacks.
According to the committee, an international legal system capable of holding war criminals accountable and ensuring justice for victims of torture is a fundamental prerequisite for establishing a peaceful world. Source: Reuters
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