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Saturday, Jun 07, 2025
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US Imposes Sanctions on ICC Judges Involved in High-Profile Cases
Four judges, including one handling the Duterte case, face US sanctions over ICC actions against the US and Israel.
The United States government has sanctioned four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), including Judge Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin, who is involved in pre-trial proceedings against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte.
The sanctions stem from the judges' roles in authorizing investigations and arrest warrants that the US deems politically motivated.
The sanctions apply to Judges Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, alongside Alapini-Gansou.
The US State Department identified that Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza had permitted the ICC’s investigation into allegations against US personnel in Afghanistan, while Alapini-Gansou and Hohler were associated with approving arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
Duterte's legal team is currently challenging the ICC's jurisdiction regarding the case, seeking Alapini-Gansou’s disqualification from the proceedings.
The US sanctions target judges engaged in efforts to investigate or prosecute individuals without the consent of their national governments, specifically focusing on actions involving the US and Israel.
Earlier, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan also faced sanctions by the US government.
The State Department characterized the sanctions as a serious measure to combat what it perceives as the politicization of the ICC and an abuse of judicial power.
These sanctions freeze any US-based property or interests held by the designated judges, and additionally, prohibit US citizens and entities from engaging in any transactions with them.
This includes making contributions or providing services to or receiving them from the sanctioned individuals.
In response to the sanctions, the ICC expressed its disapproval, characterizing the measures as attempts to undermine the independence of an international judicial body.
The tribunal emphasized that such actions do not aid civilians affected by conflict and instead empower those who act with perceived impunity.
Furthermore, the ICC noted that these sanctions extend their impact beyond individual judges, affecting all supporters of the Court, including nation-states and corporate entities allied with its mandate.
The sanctions stem from the judges' roles in authorizing investigations and arrest warrants that the US deems politically motivated.
The sanctions apply to Judges Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, alongside Alapini-Gansou.
The US State Department identified that Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza had permitted the ICC’s investigation into allegations against US personnel in Afghanistan, while Alapini-Gansou and Hohler were associated with approving arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
Duterte's legal team is currently challenging the ICC's jurisdiction regarding the case, seeking Alapini-Gansou’s disqualification from the proceedings.
The US sanctions target judges engaged in efforts to investigate or prosecute individuals without the consent of their national governments, specifically focusing on actions involving the US and Israel.
Earlier, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan also faced sanctions by the US government.
The State Department characterized the sanctions as a serious measure to combat what it perceives as the politicization of the ICC and an abuse of judicial power.
These sanctions freeze any US-based property or interests held by the designated judges, and additionally, prohibit US citizens and entities from engaging in any transactions with them.
This includes making contributions or providing services to or receiving them from the sanctioned individuals.
In response to the sanctions, the ICC expressed its disapproval, characterizing the measures as attempts to undermine the independence of an international judicial body.
The tribunal emphasized that such actions do not aid civilians affected by conflict and instead empower those who act with perceived impunity.
Furthermore, the ICC noted that these sanctions extend their impact beyond individual judges, affecting all supporters of the Court, including nation-states and corporate entities allied with its mandate.
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