On 9 October, the US government announced further sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), bringing the total number of people targeted to 17. The measures also include freezing the Court’s assets held under US jurisdiction. Members of the European Parliament recently condemned such measures as “an unacceptable assault on the foundations of international justice” and have called on the EU to demonstrate active solidarity with the Court and its personnel.
Parliament discusses support for the International Criminal Court
www.linkedin.com
Condemnation costs nothing, and Washington knows it. Seventeen people are now sanctioned, the Court’s assets are frozen, and Parliament’s answer is an adjective.If the EU means “active solidarity”, it already has the tools. The Commission can add the US ICC sanctions to the annex of the Blocking Statute (Regulation 2271/96), prohibiting EU operators from complying and giving those targeted a right to recover their losses. It can guarantee that the Court, its judges, prosecutors and staff keep access to banking and payment services. It can underwrite the Court’s budget against the shortfall. And it can make clear that any EU bank or technology provider that cuts off the Court on Washington’s say-so will answer for it in Europe.The Court sits in a Member State. Twenty-six of the twenty-seven are parties to the Rome Statute. If Europe cannot protect a court on its own soil, it should stop lecturing others on the rule of law.Resolutions are not solidarity. Action is.
EU's support for ICC absolutely necessary in view of the embarassing situation it has been put to. Its sanctity needs to be preserved and maintained so that the confidence of the world on the prime judicial institution is rebuilt.
Europe has at least tried, over the past century, to learn from the bitter lessons of history and to establish laws and courts accordingly. Unfortunately, in recent years, many things seem to be moving in the opposite direction. This is not only about the courts; the double standards applied to human rights violations are also a sign of a decline in Europe's commitment to the values of civilization and justice.
Supporting and strengthening the authority and independence of the International Criminal Court is a guarantee of stability and one of the key hallmarks of democracy, which helps foster peace in society.
EU needs to focus more on strengthening the bond among member nations as also towards self reliance in defence and energy sectors under the present conditions without compromising with citizens' welfare especially health and employment sectors.
International Criminal Court is already undermined as it cannot act as an executive. May I mistake?
Some countries did not join the ICC and they do not respect it or even their own justice systems.
Is this really a case of good versus evil? Or is it a merely a contest of power and influence? JPG
you should also discuss about the ics and how they are weaponised as payment methods.We need to strengthen the European payment methods.