South Africa regrets US sanctions against 4 International Criminal Court judges, calls them 'affront' to justice
Sanctions, along with those previously imposed on ICC prosecutor, 'represent a direct affront' to international justice principles and rule of law, says Foreign Ministry
ISTANBUL
South Africa has expressed regret over US sanctions against four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, calling them an "attempt to intimidate and obstruct" the international war tribunal's efforts to hold perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes accountable.
The South African Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" in a statement on Wednesday, saying that these measures, along with those previously imposed on the ICC prosecutor, "represent a direct affront" to international justice principles and the rule of law.
“Such punitive actions against judicial officers performing their mandated duties are regrettable, and they undermine the independence of the ICC and threaten the integrity of international legal institutions,” it said, adding that they prevent the court and its personnel from exercising their independent judicial functions.
South Africa warned that the sanctions created a "dangerous precedent" that could embolden those seeking to avoid accountability for serious human rights and international law violations, posing a "significant challenge to the global fight against impunity and the enforcement of international norms."
"The pursuit of justice for victims of the gravest crimes must not be compromised by political considerations," it emphasized, reaffirming its commitment to the principles of the Rome Statute.
Last week, the US government imposed sanctions on four ICC judges: second vice-president Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, and Judge Beti Hohler of Slovenia.
The EU and France voiced their support for the court and its officials. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed “serious concern” over the US decision.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will take “whatever actions we deem necessary to protect our sovereignty, that of Israel, and any other US ally from illegitimate actions by the ICC.”
In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for allegedly committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
