ICC urges members to make sure it can continue despite US sanctions

ICC Calls on Member States to Ensure Continuity Despite US Sanctions

ICC Responds to US Sanctions and Appeals for International Support

ICC's Rejection of US Sanctions

THE HAGUE, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court on Friday strongly rejected the sanctions imposed on it by the US government and called on its member states to make sure it can continue to function.

Statement from the Court

"It is an attempt to obstruct the course of justice and to prevent the Court from doing what it was created to do. It is an assault on the rule of law and on the very foundations of the international legal order," the court said in a statement.

Mandate and Challenges Facing the ICC

ICC's Mandate

The war crimes court said it would continue to "fully discharge its mandate" — which is to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so.

Call for Member State Support

But it said it would not be able to do so on its own, and called on its members, which do not include the United States, to make sure it has the means necessary to operate.

The Role of Member States

"The Court cannot stand alone. Its fate now rests also in the hands of the states that created it," it said.

Safeguarding International Legal Order

"This is not just about defending a single institution, but about safeguarding the international order grounded upon the rule of law. History will judge this moment."

(Reporting by Bart Meijer, Editing by Louise Heavens)