Japan has criticised the U.S. sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane, calling the decision “very unfortunate” while reaffirming its support for the International Criminal Court.
WASHINGTON,USA: Japan has criticised the United States after Washington imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, who is Japanese, and senior ICC trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. Japan described the U.S. decision as “very unfortunate”, making the criticism notable because Japan is a close U.S. ally.
The U.S. announced the sanctions on August 18, saying the two ICC officials had been involved in efforts to investigate, arrest or prosecute officials from governments that had not accepted the ICC's jurisdiction. The action is part of the Trump administration's broader campaign against the court.
The dispute is closely connected to the ICC's actions involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Seye was part of the prosecution team that sought an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The United States has strongly opposed the ICC's efforts in cases involving officials from governments that do not accept the court's jurisdiction.
Under the sanctions, any U.S. assets belonging to the targeted individuals are frozen, while their access to the U.S. financial system is largely blocked. Reuters reported that the U.S. Treasury also issued a temporary licence allowing transactions involving Akane and Seye to be wound down through September 17.
Japan's reaction is important because Tokyo has consistently supported the ICC since joining the court in 2007. Japan says the ICC has an important role in prosecuting the most serious international crimes. The latest U.S. sanctions therefore put Japan in a difficult diplomatic position because it strongly supports the court while also depending heavily on its relationship with Washington.
The ICC itself strongly criticised the U.S. decision, saying sanctions against judicial officials for carrying out their work threaten the independence of the court. Reuters reported that the latest measures bring the number of ICC staff members sanctioned by the United States to 13, including nine judges.
The dispute is also creating tension between the United States and some of its European allies. The Netherlands, which hosts the ICC, opposed the latest sanctions and reaffirmed its support for the court. Reuters also reported that at least five of the ICC's 125 member states have announced plans to withdraw in recent months amid increasing U.S. pressure.
Overall, the issue is a growing disagreement between the United States and countries that continue to support the ICC. Washington argues against the court exercising jurisdiction in cases involving governments that have not consented to it, while Japan and other supporters believe the ICC must be able to carry out its judicial responsibilities. Japan's description of the U.S. sanctions as “very unfortunate” shows how the dispute is now creating tension even between close U.S. allies.