Published on: 2026-10-13
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 9, 2026 International Law
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the decision of the US authorities to impose sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an institution. Earlier, sanctions were imposed against ICC judges, the former prosecutor, deputy prosecutors, and one of the senior staff members.
The UN chief is concerned about how the sanctions will affect the Court’s activities and its ability to perform its crucial functions, including those related to situations referred to it by the Security Council and the States Parties to the Rome Statute.
“The decision made today deals a serious blow to our collective efforts in the field of international criminal justice, of which the ICC is a key element,” said the statement issued on behalf of the Secretary-General by his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
The Secretary-General once again stated his unwavering support for the independence of the Court and its officials and called on all States to fulfill their obligations under international law and to support efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes.
Volker Türk called for the protection of the Court
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called the introduction of institutional sanctions against the International Criminal Court “unacceptable.” He called for immediate measures to protect the Court.
“I strongly urge the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court – which represent two-thirds of the international community – to take urgent steps to protect its crucial work and ensure its functionality,” said Turk.
He also called on states that have not yet joined the Rome Statute to respect the independence of the ICC.
The decision by US authorities followed a series of sanctions imposed since February 2025 against half of the 18 ICC judges, its former prosecutor, deputy prosecutors, and the senior legal officer of the Prosecutor’s Office. Turk had previously emphasized that “imposing sanctions on judges and prosecutors at the national, regional, or international levels for carrying out their mandate in accordance with international law norms constitutes an infringement on the rule of law and undermines the foundations of justice.”
The High Commissioner also condemned the default guilty verdicts issued in 2025 in the Russian Federation against the former ICC prosecutor and eight judges, who were sentenced to imprisonment for up to 15 years.
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