UN rights chief demands US withdraw sanctions on ICC judges
America
By
AFP
| Jun 06, 2025
A view of International Criminal Court (ICC), in The Hague, Netherlands on March 14, 2025. [AFP]
The United Nations human rights chief on Friday demanded the United States lift sanctions it imposed on four International Criminal Court judges, saying they were contrary to the rule of law.
"I am profoundly disturbed by the decision of the Government of the United States of America to sanction judges of the International Criminal Court," Volker Turk said in a statement.
"I call for the prompt reconsideration and withdrawal of these latest measures," he said.
"Attacks against judges for performance of their judicial functions, at national or international levels, run directly counter to respect for the rule of law and the equal protection of the law -- values for which the US has long stood.
READ MORE
Jay Z and Beyonce, Messi hold largest real estate portfolio among celebrities
Locals reap big from housing infrastructure revamp
Kenya Airways redeploys second Embraer plane after repair to meet festive season demand
Coffee farmers earn Sh9.3b in three months
How golf's growing youth appeal is quietly influencing property decisions
Hope amidst hurdles, mixed feelings about affordable housing
Thome estate residents protest new highrise property developments
Main-Kenya's fresh push to build Sh2.4 billion maritime survival centre
Securitisation: The financial tool powering Kenya's roads, and Its risks
Kenya ranks poorly in digital quality of life and AI development as Finland, US top
"Such attacks are deeply corrosive of good governance and the due administration of justice," he said.
The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on four ICC judges.
Two of the targeted judges, Beti Hohler of Slovenia and Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin, took part in proceedings that led to an arrest warrant issued last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The two other judges, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru and Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, were part of the court proceedings that led to the authorisation of an investigation into allegations that US forces committed war crimes during the war in Afghanistan.
"I am profoundly disturbed by the decision of the Government of the United States of America to sanction judges of the International Criminal Court," Volker Turk said in a statement.
"I call for the prompt reconsideration and withdrawal of these latest measures," he said.
"Attacks against judges for performance of their judicial functions, at national or international levels, run directly counter to respect for the rule of law and the equal protection of the law -- values for which the US has long stood.
"Such attacks are deeply corrosive of good governance and the due administration of justice," he said.
The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on four ICC judges.
Two of the targeted judges, Beti Hohler of Slovenia and Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin, took part in proceedings that led to an arrest warrant issued last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The two other judges, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru and Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, were part of the court proceedings that led to the authorisation of an investigation into allegations that US forces committed war crimes during the war in Afghanistan.