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World – The South African government has strongly criticised the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the move deeply concerning and a direct threat to the rule of law.
This follows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement of sanctions against the judges for what he described as “illegitimate transgressions against the United States and Israel.”
The sanctions are believed to be a direct response to the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a statement, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said, “Such punitive actions against judicial officers performing their mandated duties are regrettable, and they undermine the independence of the ICC and threaten the integrity of international legal institutions.”
DIRCO warned that these measures could intimidate the Court and obstruct efforts to hold perpetrators of serious international crimes accountable.
“South Africa, as a founding member of the ICC, views these sanctions and previous threats as an attempt to obstruct the Court’s efforts to ensure accountability,” it added.
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A Threat to the Fight Against Impunity
The ICC was established under the Rome Statute, to which 125 states are parties. Its mandate is to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression, particularly when national courts are unwilling or unable to act.
Sanctioning its judges, DIRCO noted, “sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden those who seek to evade accountability for egregious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.”
“The pursuit of justice for victims of the gravest crimes must not be compromised by political considerations,” DIRCO said.
Reaffirming its commitment to international justice, South Africa maintains that upholding the rule of law and holding perpetrators accountable remain fundamental pillars in maintaining international peace and security.
These principles are considered essential for preserving a global order based on explicit, consistent legal norms rather than political interests.
