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US sanctions on ICC officials undermine independence of tribunal and justice for victims: UN experts

Press releases
Special Procedures

22 August 2025

GENEVA -- A new round of United States sanctions against two judges and two deputy prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are a direct assault against the independence of the tribunal and a devastating blow to victims worldwide, UN experts* warned today.

"It is alarming to see a country show such continuing hostility towards the legal and peaceful actions of an independent tribunal set up by the international community," the experts said.

The latest round of sanctions, announced on 20 August by the US Secretary of State, followed similar sanctions imposed on four ICC judges in June, and on the ICC's chief Prosecutor several months earlier.

In announcing the latest sanctions, the US Government said the measures were aimed at "malign efforts by the ICC" to investigate possible crimes by Israel and the United States. In its statements, the US Government referred to rulings authorising arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The US also justified some of the sanctions with reference to rulings authorising the investigation of the situation in Afghanistan.

"Sanctioning ICC judges and prosecutors sabotages the fight against impunity and tells the world that power, not justice, rules in the face of atrocity," the experts said.

The ICC has the mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals for the grave international crimes of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

"The ICC's legal professionals play a crucial role in holding perpetrators of humanity's worst crimes to account. They must be protected from reprisals and allowed to act independently and without fear," the experts added.

"International standards provide that lawyers and justice personnel should be able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; and should not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics," the experts said.

"The US Government must uphold the rule of law and the independence of judges and prosecutors by rescinding these sanctions. We urge all States to respect the Court's independence as a judicial institution and protect the independence and impartiality of those who work within the Court," they said.

"We urge the European Union (EU) and the European Commission to enforce the Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96, also known as the EU Blocking Statute, to shield ICC officials from unlawful sanctions and reprisals."

The experts have been in touch with the United States of America about their concerns.

*The experts:

• Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers;
• Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights;
• Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism;
• George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order;
• Richard Bennett, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan;
• Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context;
• Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences;
• Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
• Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/.