United States sanctions the International Criminal Court as an institution; the Court says it will not be deterred

9 October 2026

The United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court as an institution, the Court said in a statement on 9 October 2026. The ICC called the step unprecedented and said it followed a series of designations against thirteen independent Judges and prosecutors. The Court said the measure targets an independent judicial institution created by treaty and entrusted by 125 States Parties with investigating and prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. It called the sanctions an assault on the rule of law and said the Court will not be deterred. ICC President Tomoko Akane said the Court would continue to fully discharge its mandate, with independence and impartiality. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures, which include a ban on US entities making transactions with the Court, were intended to defend US sovereignty, and Washington allowed a six month grace period before some of them take effect. The United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands reaffirmed their continued and unwavering support for the Court and said they regret and strongly disagree with the sanctions.