World · The Hague
Nobel Laureate Calls US ICC Sanctions Unacceptable
In brief
Navi Pillay, who won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, called new US sanctions on the International Criminal Court “unheard of” and “unacceptable.” The comments came a day after Washington targeted the court as an institution, not only individual officials.
According to the BBC, the Trump administration unveiled sweeping sanctions that ban US entities from transactions with the ICC, aiming to curb the court’s finances. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the step defended US sovereignty. A six-month grace period was included so member states can keep funding operations while talks continue.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the decision a serious blow to international criminal justice. The UK, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said they regret and strongly disagree with the sanctions.
Washington has already sanctioned 17 ICC judges and officials. It cites past ICC probes involving US personnel in Afghanistan and arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The new measures do not require those warrants to be withdrawn before sanctions can be lifted.
Why it matters
Criticism from a fresh Nobel laureate and close US allies keeps the ICC dispute at the centre of global law and diplomacy.
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Sources
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