The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, ICC, in one of the most serious confrontations yet between Washington and the Hague-based tribunal.
The measures were announced on Friday, October 9, just hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures are intended to prevent the Court from prosecuting Americans and US allies.
Unlike earlier sanctions that targeted individual Court officials, the new measures could restrict companies from providing services directly to the ICC itself.
The ICC condemned the move as an assault on the rule of law and called on its 125 member states to defend the institution.
The sanctions come amid long-running US objections to ICC investigations and arrest warrants, including those relating to Israeli officials and past investigations involving US personnel in Afghanistan.
The Court says its investigations and prosecutions will continue despite the pressure.
The dispute could have significant consequences for banking, software, insurance and other services on which the ICC depends.
Related: ECOWAS Court Targets Judgment Enforcement Gaps
Source
behind Games Village, Abuja
5A, CGH, Games Village, Abuja