ICC hits back after Nazhat Khan and others face sanctions by the US for efforts to arrest Americans and Israelis

The International Criminal Court has deplored the announcement of new designations for sanctions by the US administration against ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji), Kimberly Prost (Canada), Judge Nicolas Guillou (France), and Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal).

The ICC says these additional designations follow the earlier designation of four other judges and the ICC Prosecutor.

They say these sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates under the mandate from 125 States Parties from all regions.

The ICC says they constitute also an affront against the Court’s States Parties, the rules-based international order and, above all, millions of innocent victims across the world.

The ICC adds that as stated before by the ICC President and Judiciary, as well as the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Court stands firmly behind its personnel and victims of unimaginable atrocities.

The ICC says it will continue fulfilling its mandates, undeterred, in strict accordance with its legal framework as adopted by the States Parties and without regard to any restriction, pressure or threat.

The Court calls upon States Parties and all those who share the values of humanity and the rule of law to provide firm and consistent support to the Court and its work carried out in the sole interest of victims of international crimes.

The Hill has reported that President Trump’s administration announced it is imposing sanctions on four members of the International Criminal Court, saying they are engaged in efforts to “investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute” Americans and Israelis without the consent of either country.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States has been clear and steadfast in their opposition to the ICC’s politicization, abuse of power, disregard for their national sovereignty, and illegitimate judicial overreach.

He says the ICC is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and their close ally Israel.

Last November, ICC judges released arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ex-Israeli defense head Yoav Gallant and former Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity in light of Israel’s war with the Palestinian militant group.

Khan and Niang are the ICC’s deputy prosecutors.

The Hill says both were sanctioned for “continuing to support illegitimate ICC actions against” Israel, including upholding the ICC’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.