ICC reacts to Trump’s sanctions

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has said it will continue to operate despite being sanctioned by US President Donald Trump.

The Hague-based ICC was established through the 2002 Rome Statute, to which 125 countries are parties. The US, Israel, Russia, China, India and others do not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.

In a statement on Friday, the ICC said it “condemns the issuance by the US of an Executive Order seeking to impose sanctions on its officials.” The entity stressed that it “stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world.”

That same day, 79 nations, including Brazil, France, Germany, South Africa and Spain issued a joint statement, expressing “regret” at “attempts to undermine the court’s independence, integrity and impartiality.” The signatories reaffirmed their “continued and unwavering support” for the ICC.