France and EU Condemn U.S. Sanctions on ICC Judges

The Government of France and the European Union condemned the United States after it imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). France called for the immediate withdrawal of all sanctions, stating that the court and its staff perform a role that is essential in the fight against impunity.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa both defended the court's independence. Von der Leyen asserted that the ICC must be free to act without pressure to hold perpetrators of grave crimes accountable, while Costa described the institution as a cornerstone of international justice.

In response to the U.S. measures, Slovenia announced it would urge Brussels to use its authority to prevent the enforcement of these sanctions within Europe.