ICC Judges Face Severe Isolation Under US Sanctions

International Criminal Court.

US sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) have intensified the isolation of judges and officials based in The Hague, Netherlands.

French Judge Nicolas Guillou told Le Monde that sanctioned ICC officials are barred from accessing American websites and using US credit cards. “The sanctions, imposed after ICC arrest warrants targeted Israeli officials accused of war crimes in Gaza, have severely disrupted daily and professional life,” Guillou said. He described himself as being “economically banned across most of the planet,” forced into a pre-internet lifestyle.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted that ICC members should not be targeted by unilateral sanctions, which severely impact both individuals and their families. ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan stressed that coercive measures against the Court hinder justice in conflict zones like Libya.

The International Bar Association (IBA) condemned the sanctions as an attack on the rule of law and judicial independence. IBA President Jaime Carey emphasized that judges and prosecutors must perform their duties without fear of retribution.

Experts, including Dr. Alon Ben-Meir, note that sanctions block US entry, freeze assets, and target ICC judges Nicolas Guillou and Kimberly Prost, along with Deputy Prosecutors Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang, for allegedly supporting “illegitimate ICC actions against Israel.”

Sanctions have disrupted finances, online access, travel bookings, and general commerce. For instance, US-based credit card accounts are deactivated, reservations on platforms like Expedia are canceled, and e-commerce involving American companies is prohibited.

Legal experts suggest that reversing or mitigating sanctions may require international diplomatic pressure, advocacy by ICC and legal organizations, and domestic political or legal challenges within the US.

“The ICC is a vital component of international justice. Using sanctions against its judges undermines global legal protections,” said Dr. Ben-Meir. International support is crucial to ensure the Court can continue its work independently and uphold accountability worldwide.