The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has lashed out against attacks on the court, which finds itself under the spotlight after issuing arrest warrants over the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, AFP reports.
Addressing ICC members in the Hague, ICC President Tomoko Akane said the court faced “coercive measures, threats, pressure, and acts of sabotage.” “We are at a turning point in history … International law and international justice are under threat. So is the future of humanity,” she added.
“The International Criminal Court will continue to carry out its lawful mandate, independently and impartially, without giving in to any outside interference,” she pledged.
Akane further said: “Several elected officials are being severely threatened and are subjected to arrest warrants from a permanent member of the UN Security Council.”
“The court is being threatened with draconian economic sanctions from institutions of another permanent member of the Security Council as if it was a terrorist organisation,” she added.
It is “appalling” that countries appear “scandalised” when the ICC hands down arrest warrants based on international law, said Akane.
“If the court collapses, this will inevitably imply the collapse of all situations and cases … The danger for the court is existential. “