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Japan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
ICC President Tomoko Akane criticizes U.S. sanctions
International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's sanctions against The Hague-based court, saying they risk destroying the system that supports it. "The sanctions have had impacts on third countries, and they violate international law," she told Japanese media outlets online Friday. "The ICC system based on the rule of war, which the international community has developed over the years, could collapse" if the sanctions continue, she added. The ICC had launched an official investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. service members in Afghanistan. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The court's actions angered the United States, which is not an ICC member. On June 5, the State Department announced economic sanctions against four judges involved in the investigation and issuing the warrants, based on an executive order enabling U.S. sanctions against ICC personnel signed by Trump in February. "ICC, which punishes individuals who lead wars, is the last bastion of international law," Akane said from The Hague. She also stressed the importance of maintaining the court's presence. Akane called on ICC member states including Japan to take a stand against the U.S. actions, urging Washington to change its decision.
a day ago
- Politics
ICC Pres. Akane Criticizes U.S. Sanctions
News from Japan World Jun 28, 2025 18:40 (JST) Tokyo, June 28 (Jiji Press)--International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's sanctions against the Hague-based court. "The sanctions have had impacts on third countries, and they violate international law," she told Japanese media outlets online Friday. "The ICC system based on the rule of war, which the international community has developed over the years, could collapse" if the sanctions continue, she added. The ICC had launched an official investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. service members in Afghanistan. The court also issued arrest warrants, including for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These actions angered the United States, which is not an ICC member. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Japan Times
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
ICC president condemns U.S. order enabling sanctions on staff
London/New York – International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane expressed deep regret Friday over U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order authorizing sanctions on ICC staff. In a statement, she condemned the order, signed Thursday, saying that the move is part of actions constituting "serious attacks against the Court's States Parties, the rule of law-based international order and millions of victims (of crimes)." The order allows the U.S. government to impose sanctions such as an asset freeze and a travel ban on ICC staff and their families. It comes as a retaliation for the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2024. "We firmly reject any attempt to influence the independence and the impartiality of the Court or to politicize our judicial function," Akane said in the statement. Of the 125 ICC members, 79 issued a joint statement that measures to sanction the ICC "increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes." The joint statement said that such sanctions could not only obstruct ongoing investigations but threaten the safety of ICC staff and people related to crime cases. Although major countries including Britain, France, Germany and Canada joined the statement, Japan did not.
