UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today called on the United States to lift sanctions imposed on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), expressing "deep concern" about the attacks against them. This was reported by Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
"Such actions seriously harm good governance and the fair administration of justice", Türk said in an official statement. He added that he had requested that the measures taken be “urgently reviewed and revoked“.
The sanctioned magistrates are Solomi Balungi Bossa and Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza - linked to the investigation into alleged war crimes committed by US soldiers in Afghanistan, as well as Reine Alapini Gansu and Betty Holler - judges who authorized the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
“Attacks on judges for carrying out their official duties - whether at the national or international level - contradict the principles of the rule of law and justice that the US has long supported“, Türk stressed.
The sanctions imposed by Washington include a ban on entry to the US and an asset freeze - measures that are usually applied against criminals or leaders of hostile states, AFP notes.
Neither the United States nor Israel are parties to the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court, an institution tasked with prosecuting individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
At the same time, the European Union has publicly expressed its support for the ICC. European Council President Antonio Costa has described the court as a “cornerstone of international justice” and has called for its independence and integrity to be protected.