Kathmandu— Secretary of State Marco Rubio has recently denounced the International Criminal Court (ICC), threatening to dismantle it and imposing sanctions on its officials. The U.S., which participated in drafting the Rome Statute but refused to ratify it, fears that ICC jurisdiction could undermine American sovereignty by prosecuting U.S. citizens for alleged crimes committed abroad.

U.S. Opposition to the ICC

The United States has long opposed the International Criminal Court (ICC), fearing that its territorial jurisdiction under section 12 of the Rome Statute could allow prosecution of American citizens for alleged crimes committed in member states. This concern intensified when the ICC began investigating possible war crimes by U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan.

Sanctions and Withdrawals

Marco Rubio has imposed financial sanctions on ICC officials, including President Judge Tomoko Akane and senior lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, blocking their access to assets located in the U.S. The Trump administration also pressured member states like Chad and Venezuela to withdraw from the Court.

ICC's Role and Achievements

Despite opposition, the ICC has achieved notable successes in prosecuting individuals for atrocities such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. The court has prosecuted cases involving child soldiers, destruction of cultural sites, and mass atrocities in various countries.

Broader Attacks on International Organizations

The U.S. actions against the ICC are part of a wider attack on international organizations under President Trump's administration. This includes withdrawing from numerous UN bodies and non-UN organizations, weakening the World Trade Organization (WTO), and reducing economic aid through USAID.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.