NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9 — The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its campaign against the tribunal, with the court to condemning the move as an assault on the rule of law.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Friday, accusing the Hague-based court of seeking to expand its authority over American citizens, military personnel and political leaders.

In a statement, Rubio said Washington would block transactions with the court, arguing that the ICC posed a threat to American sovereignty.

“President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute Americans. That is why, today, the United States is sanctioning the International Criminal Court,” Rubio said.

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“We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate.”

The announcement marks an escalation in Washington’s confrontation with the Hague-based institution, which was established under the Rome Statute to investigate and prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

The ICC strongly rejected the sanctions, describing them as an attempt to obstruct justice and undermine the international legal order. It urged member states to defend its operations.

In a statement issued on October 9, the court said the designation targeted an independent judicial institution entrusted by 125 States Parties with investigating and prosecuting some of the world’s gravest crimes.

“This is an assault on the rule of law and on the very foundations of the international legal order which strikes at the simple principle that no one stands above the law,” the court said.

ICC President Tomoko Akane said the sanctions would not prevent the institution from carrying out its responsibilities.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya