Officials are calling for the EU to use a 1996 regulation to shield the International Criminal Court from US sanctions targeting its leadership.
Key facts
- •US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane and lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on August 18, 2025.
- •The sanctions include asset freezes and financial restrictions against the two ICC officials.
- •The EU's 1996 blocking statute prohibits European entities from complying with foreign extraterritorial sanctions.
- •EU leaders including Kaja Kallas, Ursula von der Leyen, and António Costa have publicly expressed support for the ICC.
- •ICC President Tomoko Akane formally proposed the use of the blocking statute during a March 2025 European Parliament hearing.
The European Union is facing calls to invoke a 1996 'blocking statute' to protect the International Criminal Court (ICC) from recent US sanctions. The proposed measure would prohibit European companies and banks from complying with US sanctions targeting ICC officials. This follows an announcement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on August 18, 2025, imposing asset freezes and financial penalties on ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
US Sanctions and ICC Response
The Trump administration has intensified efforts to undermine the Hague-based court, including withdrawing from the Rome Statute. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the ICC as a "corrupt and fatally-politicised" institution. In response, EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas reaffirmed the bloc's support for the court, labeling it a cornerstone of international justice. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa also issued statements emphasizing the need for ICC judges to operate without external pressure.
Proposed Use of Blocking Statute
ICC and some EU officials are advocating for the bloc to move beyond verbal support by utilizing the 1996 blocking statute. This regulation is designed to prevent European operators from adhering to foreign extraterritorial sanctions. ICC President Tomoko Akane formally requested this action during a European Parliament hearing in March 2025.
Timeline
- March 2025ICC President Tomoko Akane requested that the EU bring the ICC under the scope of its blocking statute.
- August 18, 2025US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against two ICC officials.
- August 19, 2025EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas issued a statement of support for the ICC.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by EUobserver.
