European lawmakers have called for the European Commission to prevent U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). This request follows Washington's threat to sanction the court over its issuance of an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel.
Impacts of Sanctions on the International Criminal Court
The United States has so far targeted one judge and four prosecutors of the court. Potential U.S. sanctions on this court, which is based in The Hague, could pose many practical challenges, including paying staff salaries, access to IT services, and maintaining detention facilities. The "Silence" law could protect this court from U.S. sanctions and prevent European companies from cooperating with these sanctions.
Support for the International Criminal Court
German Foreign Minister, Johan Wadephol, visited the International Criminal Court on Monday to show his support. His visit to the court was particularly notable given Germany's strong support for Israel. French judge, Nicolas Guillo, said during the economic committee meeting, "The question here is whether we will have democracy in the 21st century or not" and added, "Will there be the rule of law in Europe?"
He emphasized that the International Criminal Court is currently under pressure from terrorists and international criminals. Guillo is one of the 13 ICC officials that the United States has imposed sanctions against.
Auror Laloc, head of the economic committee and a socialist representative from France, described this situation as a major test for Europe, saying, "Do we want to abandon our values or not?" He called for intervention at the highest political level from the Commission.
European lawmakers believe that one of the major problems is the excessive compliance with U.S. sanctions. Dutch lawmaker, Dirak Goutink, said, "European banks automatically impose U.S. sanctions, and this needs to stop."
These voices add to a growing population of European politicians who support this court. The International Criminal Court has 125 member countries globally.
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