In response to the United States government’s decision to impose sanctions on four more senior International Criminal Court officials, including Canadian judge Kimberly Prost, for their work on the Court, Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada’s English-speaking section, said: “This third round of U.S. sanctions against ICC officials is another brazen attack on the Court, its independence, and the victims it serves around the world. The U.S.’s relentless assault on the ICC’s mandate not only seeks to undermine decades of hard work to bring perpetrators of the world’s worst crimes to justice, it also empowers war criminals and fails victims globally.
“As a State Party to and a key player in the establishment of the ICC, Canada must stand firmly by the Court and defend its ability to impartially investigate all situations where it has jurisdiction. We urge Canada to immediately work to protect Judge Prost and other ICC officials so that they can continue their work without fear or obstruction.
“In addition, Canada must take urgent national-level measures to counter the application and effect of the U.S. sanctions in Canada. It should urgently consider adopting laws that would mitigate or ‘block’ the effect of any sanctions in its national jurisdiction, thereby protecting all those engaging with the International Criminal Court and its officials in Canada.”
- Learn more: What do the Trump administration’s sanctions on the ICC mean for justice and human rights?
- Related: Withdrawal from ICC does not absolve Hungary of its legal obligation to arrest fugitive Benjamin Netanyahu
France-Isabelle Langlois, Executive Director of Amnistie internationale Canada francophone, said: “This is yet another brutal attack on an institution that is often the last international bastion for ending impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Amnesty International urges U.S. authorities to immediately lift all sanctions imposed on ICC officials and to cease shielding individuals, including from Israel and the U.S., suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity from accountability before the Court.”
She added: “Canada must strengthen the International Criminal Court by fully cooperating with its mandate, including by executing all ICC arrest warrants, without exception. That obligation extends to individuals accused of war crimes, including former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Effectively and universally enforcing international law is the most impactful thing Canada can do to support international justice and the ICC’s mandate to prosecute perpetrators and provide reparations to victims.”
