Several of the bloc’s member states expressed their concern and pledged to safeguard the court and those who work there.
EU leaders and lawmakers hit back on Tuesday at US President Donald Trump, after he signed an executive order last week imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In November of last year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif.
Member states of the court are expected to arrest those facing an arrest warrant if they were to set foot on their soil — however, the ICC has no way of enforcing this. The US and Israel are neither members of the court nor do they recognise it.
In a statement issued by the White House last week, Trump said the ICC illegitimately “asserted jurisdiction over and opened preliminary investigations concerning personnel of the United States and certain of its allies, including Israel.”
It added that the court used “its power by issuing baseless arrest warrants targeting … Netanyahu and Gallant.”
On Friday, European Council President António Costa said the sanctions threaten the court’s independence and undermine the criminal justice system.
During a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, members of the European Parliament mirrored these concerns and spoke out in defence of the court, pledging to safeguard it and those working there.
‘Accountability around the world’ impacted
Polish Minister for European Union Affairs Adam Szłapka acknowledged the ICC’s crucial role in “delivering justice to the victims of some of the world’s most horrific crimes.”
“It is highly regrettable that the court continues to face threats, intimidation and pressure, any threat against the court, its staff and those involved in the work in the ICC is unacceptable,” he added.
European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath said the decision poses a serious risk to ongoing investigations of the ICC, “impacting years of efforts to ensure accountability around the world.”
“In the face of the US sanctions. The Union is aware of the urgency of providing support to the court, both financially and also diplomatically. We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to protect the ICC,” McGrath said.
Dutch MEP Raquel Garcia Hermida-van der Walle (Renew) said Trump, who she said was “the man the far-right (in the Parliament) so admires,” is not just targeting prosecutors, but also civil servants who “have dedicated their careers, their lives to upholding peace and security.”
She turned to the Polish presidency of the council, asking if they would unconditionally support the ICC and whether they would reprimand member states who undermine international law.
