Fearing US Sanctions, International Criminal Court Takes Emergency Measures
The Hague: The International Criminal Court has already put multiple contingency measures in place to protect its operations from possible new US sanctions, though it has not yet received formal notice of any such action.Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told the Financial Times that the court has overhauled its technical systems and arranged alternative banking,…
The Hague: The International Criminal Court has already put multiple contingency measures in place to protect its operations from possible new US sanctions, though it has not yet received formal notice of any such action.
Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told the Financial Times that the court has overhauled its technical systems and arranged alternative banking, health insurance and payroll options. The ICC has reduced its reliance on Microsoft software, switching to Germany’s openDesk system, and has arranged to pay staff several months’ salary in advance.
The measures come as Washington has already sanctioned several ICC judges and officials; the court says 9 of its 18 judges, both deputy prosecutors, a former prosecutor and one staff member have now been targeted. Reuters reports the US administration is preparing to sanction the court as an institution, which could disrupt its access to banking, IT and insurance services. President Trump criticized the ICC in his September 22 UN General Assembly address and urged member states to withdraw. The US is not a party to the Rome Statute; the court currently has 125 member states.
