ICC president accuses Trump administration of trying to obstruct international justice

International Criminal Court president Tomoko Akane has accused the Trump administration of trying to obstruct international justice through sanctions on the court and its officials. Addressing the UN General Assembly by pre-recorded video on 2 November, she urged countries to take concrete action in support of the court and said it would continue its work independently. The ICC said the video address followed US sanctions imposed on the institution on 9 October; Akane herself was sanctioned in August.

Washington says the court has exceeded its authority by pursuing cases involving the United States and Israel, neither of which is an ICC member. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the latest measures are intended to restrict transactions with the court and its resources. The ICC rejects that position, saying the sanctions threaten its ability to investigate and prosecute grave crimes. Akane's appeal places that dispute before the wider UN membership, beyond the 125 states that belong to the court.