Guterres concerned over new US sanctions on ICC judges

NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed serious concern over the United States’ decision to impose new sanctions on two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The secretary-general expresses serious concern about the designation of two additional judges of the International Criminal Court to be sanctioned under the executive order,” spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters.

He also cited concern over ongoing sanctions against other international judicial and UN officials.

While noting that the UN and ICC are separate institutions with distinct mandates, Haq said the UN considers the ICC a “key pillar of international criminal justice.”

He added that the secretary-general respects the court’s work and emphasized the fundamental principle of judicial independence.

Haq also pointed to the relationship agreement between the UN and the ICC, approved by the General Assembly in 2004, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to cooperation with the court.

Earlier Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on ICC judges Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia. Rubio accused them of being “directly engaged” in what he described as the “illegitimate targeting of Israel.”

The US has previously sanctioned ICC officials for authorizing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.