European Commission criticizes Trump administration's pressure on ICC

The European Commission on Tuesday, July 14, rejected the Trump administration's statement that the International Criminal Court (ICC) poses a threat to US sovereignty.

Commission spokesperson Anouar El-Anouni said the EC "firmly supports" the ICC, emphasizing that attacks or threats against the court, its officials, staff, or those cooperating with it are unacceptable. He underlined the ICC's role in prosecuting perpetrators of the world's most serious crimes.

"The ICC does not target sovereign states and does not threaten their sovereignty," El-Anouni stated, noting that the court exercises jurisdiction over individuals guilty of the most serious crimes of international concern.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a broad campaign to prevent the ICC from prosecuting Americans. This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted the Hague-based court.