A coalition of countries dedicated to defending international law has issued a stark warning at the United Nations, expressing alarm over potential US sanctions that could target the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an institution. During a UN General Assembly event on Friday, South Africa’s foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, cautioned that such measures would go beyond current actions against individual judges and could fundamentally disrupt the court’s operations.
The meeting was convened by the Hague Group, an organization co-chaired by Lamola that was established in 2025 to safeguard international law and ensure the enforcement of rulings from both the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Lamola emphasized that an independent court cannot function if its officials are punished for fulfilling their legal mandates. He noted that the US has already sanctioned ICC judges and prosecutors, and is now reportedly planning broader sanctions against the institution itself.
In August, the US sanctioned ICC head Judge Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, citing their involvement in prosecuting officials from governments that have not consented to ICC jurisdiction. This move was recently condemned by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, in his UN General Assembly address, labeled the Hague-based court an “evil group of people” and urged other nations to reject it, reiterating the US administration's stated goal of dismantling the body.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has further criticized the ICC, describing it as a “corrupt and fatally politicised” institution that has exceeded its authority. Observers suggest the next phase of US pressure may involve secondary sanctions on entities that cooperate with the court, which would impact European banks, insurers, and technology providers serving the ICC.
The Dutch government, which hosts the court, is leading efforts to dissuade the US from effectively immobilizing the institution. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten told the UN assembly that international law must apply to everyone, stating, “This court was established to protect us against impunity and it was built on the foundations of the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials.” He urged the international community to demand that the US keep its hands off the ICC.
Legal expert William Schabas noted the irony that resort to international courts is increasing even as they face mounting attacks, and he called for strengthening the ICC by electing the highest caliber judges. Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu also addressed the gathering, criticizing western powers for their selective application of international law. She argued that the greatest threat to the legal order is the belief that rules only bind some and can be excused for allies and friends.
