June 6, 2025 — The European Union has expressed strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) following the United States’ imposition of sanctions on four ICC judges. The sanctions were enacted in response to the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as its investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the EU’s commitment to the ICC’s independence, stating, “The ICC holds perpetrators of the world’s gravest crimes to account and gives victims a voice. It must be free to act without pressure.” European Council President Antonio Costa echoed this sentiment, calling the court “a cornerstone of international justice” and underscoring the importance of safeguarding its integrity .
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The U.S. sanctions target Judges Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza (Peru), Reine Alapini-Gansou (Benin), and Beti Hohler (Slovenia). These judges were involved in authorizing the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant or in the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. personnel. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the judges for engaging in what he termed “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the United States and its ally, Israel .
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The sanctions include asset freezes and restrictions on financial transactions, effectively isolating the judges from the U.S. financial system. This move has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and international legal experts, who view it as an attempt to undermine the ICC’s independence and authority.
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Slovenia, whose national Beti Hohler is among the sanctioned judges, has called on the EU to invoke its “blocking statute.” This mechanism allows the EU to prohibit European companies from complying with foreign sanctions that it deems unlawful. Slovenia’s foreign ministry stated its intention to propose the immediate activation of the blocking act to shield the ICC and its officials from U.S. sanctions .
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The ICC has condemned the U.S. sanctions as an attack on its judicial independence and a challenge to the international legal order. In a statement, the court emphasized that its operations are mandated by 125 member states under the Rome Statute and that it will continue to pursue justice without fear or favor .
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This development adds to the existing tensions between the U.S. and the ICC. In February 2025, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who later stepped aside amid a United Nations investigation into alleged misconduct. The cumulative effect of these actions has raised concerns about the ICC’s ability to function effectively and independently in the face of political pressure.
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The EU’s support for the ICC underscores the bloc’s commitment to upholding international law and the principles of justice. As the situation evolves, the international community will be closely monitoring the implications of the U.S. sanctions and the EU’s response in defending the integrity of global judicial institutions.