Legal bodies warn US sanctions threaten international justice

Seventeen legal organisations have called for the withdrawal of US sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), warning that the measures threaten its ability to deliver justice for victims of serious international crimes.

The Law Society of Scotland and Faculty of Advocates are among the signatories to a joint statement condemning sanctions announced on 9 October.

According to Scottish Legal News, the organisations warned that targeting the court could disrupt investigations, trials and witness protection, while undermining victims’ access to justice and reparation.

They described the measures as an escalation of sanctions introduced from February 2025 against judges, prosecutors, court staff and others associated with its work.

The signatories urged Washington to reverse the sanctions and called on ICC member states to pursue diplomatic efforts to secure their withdrawal. They also appealed for the court’s independence to be protected from political interference.

The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The US administration has defended its action by accusing the court of unfairly targeting Americans and their allies. The ICC has rejected the sanctions as an attack on justice and called on its member states to safeguard its continued operation.

Sources: Scottish Legal News, 19 October; Reuters, 9 October.