The International Criminal Court (ICC) is navigating new US sanctions while maintaining its investigative efforts, according to Nazhat Shameem Khan, the deputy prosecutor. In an interview, Khan stated that while some staff members are experiencing banking difficulties, the court's work remains unaffected.
Background on Sanctions
The sanctions were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month, who labeled the ICC a "rogue court" and threatened its existence if it continued its activities. Khan emphasized that the court is making "significant progress" in ongoing investigations, particularly regarding the Gaza war. Arrest warrants were issued in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Galant.
Impact on Staff
Despite the sanctions not taking effect until six months after their announcement on October 9, some ICC staff have reported issues with banking. Khan noted that banks are "over-complying" to minimize risks associated with the sanctions. She remarked:
“"These are sanctions imposed on the institutions and, in principle, our individual members should not be impacted directly. But again, what I am hearing from members of our staff is that some of them are experiencing difficulties in banking."
Court's Response
The ICC is actively working to insulate itself from the effects of the sanctions. This includes switching software from Microsoft to European alternatives and negotiating with service providers regarding banking and health insurance. Khan stated:
