Dozens of countries have said Donald Trump’s decision to sanction the International Criminal Court would “erode the international rule of law”.
A majority of member states, including the UK, Germany, and France, said that the ICC was “a vital pillar of the international justice system”.
The UK, France, and Germany were among the 79 signatories to a joint statement issued on Friday to condemn Trump’s executive order. Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy were among those absent.
The ICC counts 125 member states around the world, including the UK and many European nations.
“We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC,” said the group, who make up about two-thirds of the 125 member states of the court.
In response to efforts to what they described as attempts to challenge the ICC’s authority, nine nations – including South Africa and Malaysia – launched the Hague Group last month to defend the court and its rulings. back International Criminal Court after Trump sanctions
Among the countries who agreed to the statement were France, Germany, and Britain, while Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy were absent.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban earlier made it clear he supported Trump’s move.
“New winds are blowing in international politics. We call it the Trump tornado,” Orban said on X.
Earlier on Friday, the ICC had called on its member states and global civil society to “stand united for justice and fundamental human rights.”
It pledged to continue “providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world”.
Trump announced the sanctions after hosting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – the first foreign leader to visit him since returning to power.
Last year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza – which Israel denies – as well as a Hamas commander. The US has condemned the court’s “shameful moral equivalency” between Israel and Hamas.
The US and Israel do not recognize the authority of the ICC, the only global court with powers to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It has also previously launched investigations into US citizens.
