Brussels - Strasbourg: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union described the sanctions imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court as a dangerous precedent that undermines the mechanisms of justice. According to what was reported by the European news network in Brussels "Euronews" today, Wednesday, the leaders of the European Union and members of the European Parliament responded on Tuesday to the decision of former US President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court, considering that this step threatens the independence of the court and undermines the international criminal justice system.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court, after it issued arrest warrants last November against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant, against the backdrop of allegations of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israeli war on Gaza.
Under the laws of the court, its members are obligated to implement arrest warrants in the event that wanted persons enter their territory, but the court does not have independent means of enforcement, and the United States and Israel are not member states and do not recognize its judicial authority.
In a statement issued by the White House last week, Trump described the ICC as having “unlawfully overstepped its jurisdiction” and “opened preliminary investigations against individuals from the United States and some of its allies, including Israel.” He added that the court had “issued baseless arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Galant.” In a direct response to the move, European Council President Antonio Costa said on Friday that the US sanctions threaten the independence of the ICC and set a dangerous precedent that could undermine international criminal justice mechanisms. During a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, members of parliament expressed their concerns, stressing the need to protect the court and its staff from any political pressure. Adam Zlapka, Poland’s minister for EU affairs, stressed the court’s essential role in bringing justice to victims of “the world’s most heinous crimes,” expressing his regret that it continues to be subjected to “threats, intimidation and pressure.” He added: “Any threat against the ICC, its staff and representatives is absolutely unacceptable.” For his part, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath warned of the serious repercussions of the US sanctions on the ongoing investigations at the court, noting that they undermine “years of efforts to ensure accountability for crimes around the world.” He stressed that the European Union recognizes the urgent need to support the court financially and diplomatically, adding: “We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to protect the ICC.” During the debate, Dutch MEP Raquel García Hermida-van der Wal (Renew) criticized Trump’s decision, saying that it not only targets prosecutors, but also attacks “civil servants who have dedicated their professional lives to supporting peace and security.” She directly asked the Polish presidency of the Council about its commitment to supporting the ICC unconditionally, and whether it will take a firm stance towards member states that try to undermine international law. In light of these developments, the European Union continues to take a decisive stance in defending the International Criminal Court, affirming its commitment to protecting the legal institutions that guarantee international justice, despite the escalating tensions with the United States on this issue.