Condemning Sanctions Imposed by the Trump Administration on ICC Judges

MEDIA STATEMENT

Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, 12 June 2025 — Public Interest SA unequivocally condemns the egregious and politically motivated decision by the United States government, under the administration of President Donald Trump, to impose sanctions on four sitting judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). These punitive measures, which follow previous sanctions against the ICC Prosecutor, represent an unprecedented and alarming assault on the integrity and independence of international judicial institutions.

The ICC is a cornerstone of global efforts to uphold accountability and justice for victims of the gravest crimes known to humanity — genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. The imposition of coercive sanctions against ICC officials for fulfilling their judicial mandates constitutes a direct affront to the principles of international justice and the rule of law. It also undermines the credibility of the United States as a state that once claimed to champion these very ideals.

Public Interest SA views this conduct as a flagrant attempt to intimidate, obstruct, and delegitimise an institution whose sole remit is to hold perpetrators of the most heinous crimes accountable — particularly where national jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to do so. Such actions not only compromise the Court’s ability to carry out its work independently and impartially but also set a dangerous precedent for other global actors who may seek to evade justice through political coercion or intimidation.

The Trump regime's authoritarian actions signify a sharp departure from long-standing international consensus on the importance of multilateralism and accountability. By resorting to sanctions and threats against an international tribunal, the United States, under Trump, has regrettably positioned itself on the wrong side of history. This behaviour is unbecoming of a nation that purports to uphold democratic values and respect for human rights.

Moreover, these measures constitute an asymmetric attack on the global fight against impunity. They serve the interests of those who commit or enable gross human rights violations, by emboldening their efforts to escape international scrutiny and accountability. At a time when the international community should be reinforcing support for the ICC and other accountability mechanisms, such actions seriously undermine efforts to build a just, rules-based international order.

Public Interest SA calls upon the international community, including African states and civil society, to reject this unjustified aggression and to reaffirm their commitment to the Rome Statute and the independence of the ICC. We join the government of South Africa in urging the United States to rescind these sanctions immediately and to recommit itself to the foundational principles of international law and justice.

In solidarity with the ICC, its judges, and all those who seek to advance the cause of justice and human dignity, Public Interest SA reaffirms its unwavering support for the integrity and independence of international legal institutions.

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Issued by:

Public Interest SA Communications

Johannesburg, South Africa

010 005 5884