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U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court, warning that the measures could undermine the court’s work and deal a “serious blow” to international efforts to hold perpetrators of grave crimes accountable.
“Today’s decision marks a serious blow to our collective pursuit of international criminal justice, of which the ICC is a key pillar,” Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement.
“Accountability for international crimes and delivery of justice to victims are central to our global commitment to peace, security, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he added.
Guterres is “deeply alarmed” by the potential impact of the sanctions on the ICC as a whole, particularly its ability to carry out its mandate, according to the statement.
The U.N. chief reiterated his “unwavering support” for the independence of the court and its officials and called on countries to uphold their commitments under international law.
“The Secretary-General calls upon all States to uphold their commitments under international law and to support efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,” Dujarric said.
The U.N. also said it would continue cooperating with the ICC in accordance with the Relationship Agreement between the U.N. and the court.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions Friday, hours after former ICC judge and former U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
“President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute Americans. That is why, today, the United States is sanctioning the International Criminal Court,” Rubio said.
Rubio said Washington had delayed the designation in hopes that the ICC would change course or that its member states would restrain the court, but said neither had taken “meaningful steps” to address U.S. concerns.
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