Navi Pillay denounces US sanctions against the ICC as illegal

17:02

By: Azzat Manal

Navi Pillay denounces US sanctions against the ICC as illegal

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay has criticised US sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing them as illegal and warning that selective justice threatens the international legal system. In an interview with Agence France-Presse, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged US President Donald Trump to reconsider the measures and seek legal advice before proceeding.

The United States announced sanctions targeting the ICC amid tensions over the court’s investigations and arrest warrants related to the war in Gaza. Washington has strongly opposed the court’s actions against Israeli leaders, arguing that the ICC has exceeded its authority. The court maintains that it operates under its founding statute and has jurisdiction in cases that meet the relevant legal requirements.

Pillay warned that penalising an international judicial institution for carrying out its mandate could undermine the independence of international justice. She argued that accountability should not depend on the political influence of those under investigation and that applying different standards to different countries risks weakening the credibility of international law.

The Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, has also called for dialogue with Washington. Dutch officials have stressed the importance of protecting the court’s ability to function while seeking to prevent further escalation between the United States and its European partners.

Pillay has held several prominent positions in international human rights institutions, including serving as a judge at the ICC and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She also chaired a UN Commission of Inquiry examining alleged violations in the occupied Palestinian territory. Her work has drawn criticism from Israeli officials, particularly over her statements concerning the war in Gaza.

The dispute highlights wider questions about the relationship between national sovereignty and international accountability. As governments debate the ICC’s authority and the consequences of its investigations, Pillay’s comments add to calls for the court’s independence to be respected and for legal disputes to be addressed through established international mechanisms rather than political pressure.