1 hr ago
US Sanctions ICC as Navi Pillay Wins Nobel Peace Prize
The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, or ICC.
The US says it does not want the court to prosecute Americans.
It has also objected to ICC actions involving Israeli officials and a past investigation of US soldiers in Afghanistan.
The ICC says the sanctions attack international law and will not stop its work.
The court has 125 member countries, but the United States is not one of them.
On the same day, former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
President Donald Trump shared a post attacking Pillay and the Nobel Committee.
The European Union criticised the sanctions and said it would work with the court.
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court on October 9, 2026, hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures ban transactions with the court and are intended to prevent it from prosecuting Americans.
The US cited ICC cases and actions concerning Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, and a now-closed investigation of US soldiers in Afghanistan.
The ICC condemned the sanctions as an attack on international law; Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said its investigations and prosecutions would continue.
Trump shared criticism of Pillay and the Nobel Committee, while the European Commission criticised the sanctions and said it would work with the ICC to support its operations.
- Who
- The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court; Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the US position.
- What
- The United States sanctioned the ICC and said it would ban transactions with the court.
- Where
- The measures were imposed by the United States against the ICC, which is based in the Netherlands.
- When
- October 9, 2026, hours after Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Why
- The US said it sought to prevent the ICC from prosecuting Americans and cited concerns about its actions involving the United States and Israel.
United States
ICC and supporters
US jurisdiction and security
United States
Rubio said the sanctions were intended to stop the ICC from prosecuting Americans and to protect US personnel and elected officials.
ICC and supporters
The ICC said it acts independently under law and evidence, and that the sanctions threaten the rule of law and its work.
Impact on the court
United States
The US said it would ban transactions with the ICC and cut off resources, and urged member allies to rein in the court.
ICC and supporters
The ICC said it would continue its investigations and prosecutions; the European Commission said it would work with the court to help it operate.
Key facts
- Sanctioned institution
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- US announcing official
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- US stated rationale
- Preventing the ICC from prosecuting Americans and addressing US concerns about the court
- ICC membership
- 125 countries; the United States is not a member
- ICC response
- The court condemned the sanctions; Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said its work would continue.
- Nobel recipient
- Navi Pillay, a former ICC Appeals Chamber judge, won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
- European Union response
- The European Commission criticised the sanctions and said it would work with the ICC to support its operations.
Quotes
International Criminal Court
The Hague-based international court responding to the US sanctions
“We have structured this action to provide an opportunity for States Parties to negotiate and present a solution to address our concerns. If these efforts do not bear fruit, we will continue to adjust accordingly.”
theprint.in
“That is why, today, the United States is sanctioning the International Criminal Court. We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate.”
NDTV
theprint.in
Nazhat Shameem Khan
Deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
“Our work will continue across all our situations, our investigations and our prosecutions.”
theprint.in
“If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump!”
wionews.com
indianexpress.com
Tomoko Akane
President of the International Criminal Court
“The Court will continue to fully discharge its mandate, with independence and impartiality, acting only on the basis of the law and the evidence, for the sake of the countless victims of grave crimes.”
NDTV
Sources
"Rogue": US Sanctions World Court Hours After Ex-Judge Wins Peace Nobel
US imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court, hours after former judge wins Nobel
Exclusive-US imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court, hours after former judge wins Nobel
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‘Hater of America’: Trump attacks Navi Pillay, sanctions ICC as Nobel Peace Prize 2026 winner roasts US president
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