ICC President Tomoko Akane Rejects U.S. Sanctions and Reaffirms Court Independence
October 12, 2026Via @internationalcriminalcourt : ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane is answering Washington’s sanctions head-on.
“THE ICC DOES NOT YIELD TO EXTERNAL THREATS”
The US has sanctioned the president of the world’s court for war crimes. Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye are now barred from entering the US and from using its financial system. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says they “directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials” whose governments haven’t consented to the court’s jurisdiction.
The ICC called it a “flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.” The UN rights chief demanded the sanctions be lifted. Even Japan, the court’s biggest funder and a close US ally, objected.
And who cheered? Netanyahu, wanted by the same court over Gaza, called the ICC “a kangaroo court.”
Think about that. Judges punished for doing their jobs. The accused clapping from the sidelines.
Akane’s answer: no. The court stays. The victims come first.
#ICC #TomokoAkane #InternationalLaw #Sanctions #Justice
English Script:
Let me be clear. The ICC does not yield to external threats that will only benefit those who commit the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. Today, I reaffirm the court’s steadfast commitment to discharging its mandate fully with independence and impartiality for the sake of victims.
