Archive · 19 Aug 2026
ICC Says US Sanctions Undermine Rule of Law
The International Criminal Court investigates serious crimes around the world.
The United States placed sanctions on two important ICC officials.
Sanctions mean the officials may be blocked from entering the US and using parts of its financial system.
The US says the court has become politicized.
The ICC says punishing its workers for applying the law threatens the rule of law.
The court also said it will continue its work and support victims.
The disagreement is connected mainly to ICC investigations involving Israel.
In 2024, the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza.
The United States sanctioned International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
The ICC said targeting judges, prosecutors and staff places the international legal order at risk.
Washington accused the Hague-based court of being politicized in its latest campaign against the institution.
The sanctions restrict the targeted officials’ US entry and access to the US financial system.
The measures largely respond to ICC investigations involving Israel, including a 2024 arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Who
- The United States, the International Criminal Court, ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
- What
- The United States imposed sanctions on Akane and Seye, while the ICC condemned the measures as a threat to the rule of law.
- When
- Tuesday; the article also refers to an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2024.
- Where
- The sanctions target officials of the Hague-based International Criminal Court and affect entry to and transactions within the United States.
- Why
- The United States says the ICC is politicized; the measures largely respond to investigations involving Israel, while the ICC says they punish officials for applying the law.
International Criminal Court’s Position
United States’ Position
Effect of sanctions
International Criminal Court’s Position
The ICC says targeting judges, prosecutors and staff for applying the law undermines the rule of law and risks the international legal order.
United States’ Position
The United States imposed the sanctions as part of its campaign against a court it considers politicized.
ICC investigations
International Criminal Court’s Position
The court says it remains undeterred, stands behind its personnel and will continue standing behind victims of atrocities.
United States’ Position
The measures largely respond to investigations involving Israel, a US ally, including the 2024 arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Sanctioned official
- Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court
- Second sanctioned official
- Abdoulaye Seye, a senior trial lawyer at the ICC
- US restrictions
- The measures bar the targeted officials from entering the United States and from transactions in the US financial system.
- ICC response
- The court said sanctions against judicial personnel undermine the rule of law and place the international legal order at risk.
- US criticism
- Washington accused the International Criminal Court of being politicized.
- Related investigation
- The measures largely respond to ICC investigations involving Israel, a US ally.
- 2024 action
- The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza.