The work of the International Criminal Court is of critical importance. It involves the investigation and, where
appropriate, the bringing to justice of persons suspected of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the
crime of aggression.
For the rule of law to exist, it is crucial that there is respect for both national and international legal orders and the
judicial institutions established to uphold them. States should respect the independence of courts established under
international treaties. The independence of the judiciary is not a privilege granted to judges, but a fundamental
guarantee of the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Judges must be able to perform their functions free
from external influence. In particular, measures designed to prevent the ability of a court to operate are incompatible
with the principles of the rule of law and judicial independence.
On 13 July 2026, the US Secretary of State announced a campaign against the ICC, which included threats of additional
sanctions. The actions stated to be under consideration included visa revocations and travel bans for ICC personnel,
increased sanctions against the ICC and affiliated organisations, and diplomatic efforts to urge other Member States
to withdraw from the ICC.
This development follows sanctions on individual judges, prosecutors and deputy prosecutors of the ICC by the
Government of the USA in 2025. The sanctions have been condemned by the judicial community, not least by a joint
statement of the ENCJ, the European Association of Judges and ACA-Europe in January 2026. Both measures
undermine the operation of the International Criminal Court.
The European Network of Councils for the Judiciary, ACA-Europe, the International Association of Judges and the
Network of Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union reaffirm our support for the
independence of the International Criminal Court, including its judges, prosecutors and staff.
We are united in our condemnation of this most recent initiative by the US Government against the International
Criminal Court.