EU chief Ursula von der Leyen backs ICC after US sanctions; says judges must act independently

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday extended strong support to the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the United States imposed sanctions on two senior officials of the Hague-based tribunal, stressing that its judges and officials must be able to work independently and without external pressure. Von der Leyen said she and European Council President António Costa stood firmly behind the ICC, its president Tomoko Akane and officials carrying out the court's mandate.

She underlined the ICC's role in seeking accountability for some of the world's gravest crimes and said its judicial work should remain free from outside interference. The intervention puts the European Union at odds with Washington over the Trump administration's escalating campaign against the international court.

US sanctions ICC president, senior lawyer

The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions against Akane, a Japanese judge who serves as president of the ICC, and Abdoulaye Seye, a Senegalese senior trial lawyer in the Office of the Prosecutor.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the ICC of exceeding its mandate by seeking to exercise jurisdiction over officials from countries that have not consented to the court's authority.

Washington has long rejected the ICC's jurisdiction over American nationals and has also opposed its actions involving Israel, which, like the United States, is not a member of the court.

The sanctions block assets belonging to the designated officials that fall under US jurisdiction and restrict their access to the American financial system.

Rubio has sharply criticised the ICC and accused it of threatening the sovereignty of the United States and its allies.

EU defends court’s independence

Von der Leyen's remarks were echoed by Costa, with the two senior EU leaders stressing the importance of allowing the court to perform its judicial functions independently.

The European Union has consistently supported the ICC and the international legal framework established by the Rome Statute. All 27 EU member states are members of the court.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also criticised Washington's latest action, saying sanctions against ICC personnel undermine the court's work.

She reiterated the bloc's support for the independence and impartiality of the tribunal and said its officials should be protected from pressure, intimidation or interference.

The latest dispute has consequently opened another point of disagreement between Washington and its European allies over the role and jurisdiction of international institutions.

ICC condemns Washington’s move

The ICC has strongly rejected the sanctions, describing them as an attack on the independence of an impartial judicial institution.

The court maintained that targeting judges, prosecutors and staff members undermines the rule of law and interferes with efforts to hold individuals accountable for serious international crimes.

The latest measures form part of a wider US campaign against the court and its personnel.

The Trump administration has sanctioned several ICC officials in response to investigations and proceedings involving American and Israeli nationals.

Washington's opposition intensified following the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant in connection with alleged crimes during the Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected the allegations and challenged the court's jurisdiction.

Japan calls sanctions ‘very unfortunate’

Japan also criticised the US decision to sanction Akane, who is a Japanese national.

Tokyo described Washington's action as “very unfortunate” and reiterated its commitment to strengthening the rule of law and supporting the international justice system.

Japan has been a member of the ICC since 2007 and is among the court's major financial contributors.

The Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, has also opposed the latest sanctions and stressed that international courts and tribunals must be allowed to perform their mandates without interference.

Germany and Britain have similarly reaffirmed their support for the independence of the institution.

US-ICC confrontation deepens

The International Criminal Court was established under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression when national judicial systems are unable or unwilling to genuinely pursue such cases.

The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute and has consistently disputed attempts by the ICC to exercise jurisdiction over American citizens without Washington's consent.

The latest sanctions deepen an already serious confrontation between the Trump administration and the court, while also highlighting differences between Washington and several of its closest allies.

For the European Union, von der Leyen's statement reinforces its position that disagreements over the ICC's decisions should not translate into pressure on its judges and officials.

The widening international response — with the EU, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries defending the institution — indicates that Washington's latest action is likely to keep the debate over the ICC's independence, jurisdiction and future at the centre of international diplomacy.