Navi Pillay criticizes US sanctions on International Criminal Court
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay has strongly criticized the US sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling them illegal and a dangerous precedent. She highlighted the selective application of justice and urged respect for international law, emphasizing the importance of the ICC's independence in prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1)
Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay condemned the US sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Friday, describing them as “illegal” and a sign of double standards in international justice.
In an interview with AFP on Wednesday, Pillay said US President Donald Trump needed to consult legal advisors to understand international law and why interfering with an independent court is unlawful.
The sanctions, targeting the ICC’s technology and banking operations and set to take effect in six months, come amid US anger over the ICC’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning alleged crimes in Gaza.
Pillay criticized the selective approach, noting previous US support for ICC actions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, and called the sanctions a dangerous precedent that undermines the court’s impartiality.
She also rejected calls for reforms that would prevent investigations of US citizens, stressing that justice should be applied equally without double standards.
Responding to Israeli officials’ harsh reactions to her Nobel Prize, Pillay condemned their insults and reiterated her commitment to justice despite political challenges.