World · Africa · 6 hrs ago
South Africa criticises US sanctions on the International Criminal Court
The United States announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) as South African jurist Navi Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
South Africa’s Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel said the country remains committed to the court and warned against political pressure on its judges and prosecutors.
The US says the ICC improperly claims authority over American and Israeli nationals; neither country is a party to the treaty that established the court.
The ICC says it can, under the treaty’s rules, investigate crimes on the territory of states that have accepted its authority, regardless of the accused person’s nationality.
The court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes linked to the Gaza war, allegations Israel rejects.
Pillay led a UN commission that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel also rejects.
The sanctions target the court itself and could restrict access to banking, technology and other services, raising concerns about the independence of international justice.
South Africa expressed concern over US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court and its officials.
Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel said South Africa remained committed to the court and opposed pressure on judges and prosecutors.
The US announced sanctions against the ICC as an institution on Friday, escalating its campaign against the court.
The sanctions were announced hours after the Norwegian Nobel Committee said South African jurist Navi Pillay had won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
- Who
- South Africa, represented by Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel, criticised the US sanctions.
- What
- The US imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court and its officials.
- When
- The US announced the sanctions on Friday; Nel made his remarks on Monday.
- Where
- Nel spoke at the Social Justice Summit at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
- Why
- Nel warned against political pressure on judges and prosecutors. The US said the ICC had improperly asserted jurisdiction over American and Israeli nationals.
South Africa
United States
Sanctions
South Africa
South Africa is very concerned about the sanctions and warned against pressure on judges and prosecutors.
United States
The US imposed sanctions on the ICC, accusing it of improperly asserting jurisdiction over American and Israeli nationals.
ICC jurisdiction
South Africa
The ICC maintains that its jurisdiction can extend to crimes committed on the territory of states that have accepted its authority, subject to the Rome Statute.
United States
The US says the court improperly asserted jurisdiction over American and Israeli nationals.
The US announced sanctions against the ICC as an institution.
Hours before the sanctions announcement, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Navi Pillay had won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Pillay called the US sanctions unacceptable and expressed concern about their effects on the independence of international courts.
Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel spoke about the sanctions at the Social Justice Summit at Stellenbosch University.
- US sanctions announced
- Friday
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Navi Pillay, 2026
- South African speaker
- Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel
- Event location
- Stellenbosch University
- ICC treaty
- Rome Statute
What people are saying
South Africa is very concerned by the sanctions imposed by the United States on the International Criminal Court and its officials.
It is entirely legitimate to criticise a court or disagree with its decisions. That is different from applying pressure to judges or prosecutors because of the work they perform.
Sources
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