United States Sanctions on the ICC Prosecutor Reversed

Introduction

On September 2, 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and another senior official. This move was met with widespread condemnation from the international community. On April 2, 2021, President Biden revoked the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, signaling a shift in US policy towards the ICC.

Reasons for the Sanctions

The Trump administration justified the sanctions by arguing that the ICC was overstepping its authority by investigating alleged war crimes committed by US personnel in Afghanistan. The US has not ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and has long been critical of the court's jurisdiction over nationals of non-member states.

International Reaction

The sanctions were widely criticized by the international community. Many countries, including those that are not members of the ICC, condemned the move as an attack on the court's independence. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called the sanctions "a direct attack on the international criminal justice system."

Biden Administration's Policy Shift

President Biden's revocation of the sanctions represents a significant shift in US policy towards the ICC. The Biden administration has stated that it supports the ICC's mandate to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes, and that it will work with the court to ensure that it is effective and fair.

Conclusion

The US sanctions on the ICC prosecutor were a controversial move that drew widespread criticism. The Biden administration's decision to revoke the sanctions is a welcome step towards restoring the US relationship with the ICC and supporting the international fight against impunity for atrocity crimes.