Pretoria: South Africa has expressed regret over US sanctions against four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, describing them as an "attempt to intimidate and obstruct" the international war tribunal's efforts to hold perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes accountable.
According to Anadolu Agency, the South African Foreign Ministry released a statement expressing "deep concern" about the sanctions. The ministry stated 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.
The statement emphasized that such punitive actions against judicial officers performing their mandated duties are regrettable, as they undermine the independence of the ICC and threaten the integrity of international legal institutions. The sanctions, it argued, prevent the court and its personnel from exercising their independent judicial functions.
South Africa warned that these sanctions create a "dangerous precedent" that could embolden those seeking to avoid accountability for serious human rights and international law violations. This poses a "significant challenge to the global fight against impunity and the enforcement of international norms."
The statement further emphasized that "the pursuit of justice for victims of the gravest crimes must not be compromised by political considerations," reaffirming South Africa's 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.
In response, the EU and France voiced their support for the court and its officials. Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed 'serious concern' over the US decision.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that 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.'