The Continued Sanctions on Judges of the International Criminal Court Constitute an Attack on the Independence of International Justice and Threaten Justice for the Victims of Palestine
26 July 2026 – Fact Sheet
The continued United States sanctions imposed on a number of judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and members of the Office of the Prosecutor, despite the recent developments concerning the removal of former Prosecutor Karim Khan, confirm that these sanctions represent a dangerous precedent aimed at undermining the independence of international justice and subjecting it to political pressure
The sanctions imposed by the United States against ICC judges and members of the Office of the Prosecutor were adopted in response to the performance of their judicial duties under the Rome Statute, particularly after the Court initiated proceedings concerning the Situation in the State of Palestine and issued arrest warrants against Israeli officials. The continuation of these sanctions, despite the change in the leadership of the Office of the Prosecutor, demonstrates that the target is not specific individuals, but rather the Court itself, its jurisdiction, and its institutional independence
The U.S. sanctions have not been limited to diplomatic restrictions. They have also included asset freezes, travel restrictions, and financial measures that have directly affected the judges and their family members, impairing their ability to conduct banking transactions and access essential services. The Court itself has stated that these measures interfere with the personal and professional lives of the targeted officials and undermine the independence of the international judiciary
The continuation of these measures constitutes a violation of the principle of judicial independence and is inconsistent with the international obligation to respect the independence of the International Criminal Court and to refrain from any form of coercion or retaliation against its judges or prosecutors for carrying out their judicial responsibilities
The removal of former Prosecutor Karim Khan, regardless of its reasons or the procedures followed, does not affect the legality of the ongoing investigations and judicial proceedings, nor does it invalidate the arrest warrants issued by the Court. It must not be used as a pretext to delay or obstruct investigations relating to the Situation in Palestine, which continue to be conducted by the Office of the Prosecutor through the Deputy Prosecutors in accordance with the Rome Statute
The continuation of sanctions and political pressure sends a dangerous message to international judges and prosecutors that holding perpetrators of international crimes accountable may result in personal retaliatory measures. This undermines confidence in the international criminal justice system and threatens the fundamental principle of ending impunity
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