Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court
Honest Title:
Shielding War Crimes: US Sanctions the ICC
Constitutional Risk:
7
Signed by: Donald J. Trump
Signed: 2/6/2025
Last Updated: 2/11/2025
Executive Order
Summary
The order declares a national emergency, blocks property, and restricts entry into the US for individuals involved with ICC investigations against US and allied personnel. It targets those investigating the US/allies without consent.
Updates
- February 11, 2025
- Current Information Gaps (as of February 11, 2025):
- Expert Analysis: In-depth expert analysis on the legal and policy implications of these sanctions is currently limited.
- Implementation Details: Specific details about sanctioned individuals or entities and the implementation mechanisms are not yet publicly available.
- Legal Challenges: Information regarding specific legal challenges against the Presidential Action in US courts is currently unavailable.
- Current Information Gaps (as of February 11, 2025):
- February 10, 2025
- Further Details on Sanctions: The US administration released further details on the sanctions, clarifying that they would target individuals directly involved in the investigation, prosecution, or detention of US personnel.
- Source: US Department of State
- Further Details on Sanctions: The US administration released further details on the sanctions, clarifying that they would target individuals directly involved in the investigation, prosecution, or detention of US personnel.
- February 8, 2025
- Legal Scholars Criticize Sanctions: A group of international legal scholars has publicly criticized the US sanctions, arguing that they violate international law and undermine the independence of the ICC.
- Source: International Law Journal
- Legal Scholars Criticize Sanctions: A group of international legal scholars has publicly criticized the US sanctions, arguing that they violate international law and undermine the independence of the ICC.
- February 7, 2025
- Current Information Gaps (as of February 7, 2025):
- Expert Analysis and Commentary: Beyond the statement from Amnesty International, there is a lack of broader expert analysis or commentary on the sanctions available in current reporting.
- Legislative/Executive Developments: No related legislative actions or further executive orders connected to these sanctions have been identified at this time.
- Implementation Progress and Issues: Details regarding the implementation of the sanctions are still lacking. No specific individuals or entities have been publicly identified as sanctioned, and there is no reporting on the practical execution of these measures.
- Legal Challenges and Court Decisions: As of yet, there is no information available regarding legal challenges filed against the Presidential Action, either in US courts or at the ICC itself. Legal opinions from scholars are also currently unavailable.
- Human Rights Watch stated that the US sanctions undermine international accountability for serious crimes and deny justice to victims worldwide.
- Source: Human Rights Watch
- International Support for ICC: Dozens of countries pledged their unwavering support for the International Criminal Court in response to the US sanctions.
- Source: Reuters
- UN Experts Oppose Sanctions: UN Human Rights Council experts urged the US Senate to reject the sanctions and any related bills aimed at defunding the ICC.
- Source: UN News
- Current Information Gaps (as of February 7, 2025):
- February 6, 2025
- ICC Condemns Sanctions: The International Criminal Court called upon its member states to oppose the sanctions imposed by the US.
- Source: ABC News
- Amnesty International Condemnation: Amnesty International strongly condemned the US sanctions as reckless, vindictive, and a betrayal of international justice. They argued the sanctions undermine accountability and signal that Israel is above the law.
- Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, criticized the sanctions as an attack on the ICC's independence and its pursuit of justice for victims globally.
- Source: Amnesty International
- Public Condemnation from Amnesty International: Amnesty International released a public statement strongly condemning the sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court. The organization described the action as reckless, vindictive, and a betrayal of common humanity, arguing that it undermines international justice and emboldens perpetrators of serious crimes. Amnesty International further stated that the sanctions send a message that Israel is above the law.
- Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, specifically criticized the sanctions as an attack on the ICC's independent pursuit of justice, asserting that they will harm accountability and negatively impact victims globally. (Source: Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/02/usa-sanctions-against-international-criminal-court-betray-international-justice-system/)
- Presidential Action: Sanctions Imposed: President Trump issued an Executive Order authorizing sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). This action declares a national emergency in response to the ICC's investigations into US and allied personnel, specifically Israel. Sanctions include asset blocking and entry suspension for individuals and entities involved in ICC investigations targeting "protected persons."
- Source: The White House
- ICC Condemns Sanctions: The International Criminal Court called upon its member states to oppose the sanctions imposed by the US.