The United States has placed the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, on its sanctions list. His assets in the US will be frozen and he and his family will be barred from entering the country. The reason for the sanctions is Khan’s indictment of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Defense Minister, Joaw Galant, for alleged war crimes and genocide against Palestinians. Khan has requested an arrest warrant.
The US Treasury Department’s order justifies the sanctions against Khan, stating that the ICC has created a precedent that puts US citizens at risk of being misused and potentially detained.
“The ICC has abused its power by initiating investigations and issuing arrest warrants without legal basis and without legitimate jurisdiction over US citizens and their allies, including Israel” the order reads.
The US Treasury Department confirmed that Khan’s name has been added to the relevant sanctions list, making it illegal for Americans to do business with him.
The International Criminal Court has condemned the sanctions, emphasizing its commitment to justice, which gives hope to millions of innocent victims of crimes.
Israel and the US are not signatories to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Both countries have withdrawn their signatures.
When the ICC Chief Prosecutor requested an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner, Maria Lwowa-Belowa, for allegedly abducting Ukrainian children, the US praised the move. Russia also does not recognize the ICC.
A statement from the ICC warns that the sanctions could harm international law. It is already clear, however, that there is no effective international criminal justice system that includes all countries of the world.