During a recent assembly discussing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) annual report, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addressed the challenges posed by United States sanctions imposed on ICC judges and prosecutors earlier this year. These sanctions followed the court’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister and former Defence Minister for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The sanctions, which include travel bans and blocking access to assets in the US, have sparked international concern over the independence and effectiveness of the court.
Baerbock emphasized that the ICC was founded on the principle of universal justice, and while it has confronted impunity for over two decades, much work remains to hold perpetrators accountable. She stressed the importance of international cooperation for investigations, arrests, and the execution of warrants, while also highlighting the court’s vulnerability to interference. Cyberattacks and sanctions against officials defending the rule of law, she said, constitute deliberate attempts to weaken the court’s credibility and undermine international justice.
A resolution presented at the assembly called for ICC officials to carry out their mandate without intimidation, condemning threats, attacks, or interference against the court, its personnel, or cooperating parties. ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane underlined that when judges are pressured or threatened, the credibility of international law is diminished, posing a serious risk to the global fight against impunity.
Judge Akane highlighted the court’s ongoing work and achievements, noting key cases in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Israel, while stressing that arrest warrants require state cooperation for execution. She noted that over 18,000 victims participated in ICC cases during the past year, emphasizing the court’s role in giving victims a voice and establishing accountability. Reparations remain a central component, with the Trust Fund for Victims providing tangible support, such as financial reparations for nearly 50,000 victims in Uganda affected by war crimes.
