The United States has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for what it deems as “illegitimate actions” targeting the United States and Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions, specifically targeting Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.
The move comes as a response to the ICC’s investigations into US military personnel and arrest warrants issued against top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The US has long been critical of the ICC’s actions, accusing the court of overstepping its jurisdiction and unfairly targeting American and Israeli interests.
Rubio stated that the sanctions are meant to hold the judges accountable for their actions, which the US considers to be an abuse of power. The decision to sanction the ICC judges reflects the ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and the international community over the court’s role in prosecuting war crimes and human rights violations.
The ICC, established in 2002, is tasked with investigating and prosecuting individuals responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. However, the court has faced criticism from some countries, including the US, for what they perceive as a bias against certain nations.
The sanctions imposed by the US are likely to further strain relations between the Trump administration, the ICC, and its member states. The move has sparked debate over the role of the ICC in holding individuals and governments accountable for international crimes, as well as the broader implications for global justice and diplomacy.
In response to the sanctions, the ICC has defended its actions as part of its mandate to uphold international law and ensure justice for victims of atrocities. The court has called on the US to respect its independence and cooperate with its investigations, rather than resorting to punitive measures against its judges.
The decision to sanction ICC judges is expected to have far-reaching implications for the future of international justice and the rule of law. It remains to be seen how other countries will react to the US’s actions and whether the ICC will be able to continue its work unhindered by political interference.
References:
1. “Rubio sanctions international criminal court judges for ‘targeting’ US and Israel” – The Guardian
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/05/marco-rubio-sanctions-icc-judges-israel-gaza
2. “State Dept. Imposes Sanctions on International Criminal Court Judges” – The New York Times
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/us/politics/international-criminal-court-sanctions-rubio-state.html
3. “U.S. sanctions 4 International Criminal Court judges” – CBS News
Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-sanctions-4-international-criminal-court-judges-abuse-power/
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