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IBA condemns ‘attack on global rule of law’

The International Bar Association (IBA) has condemned the imposition of additional sanctions against International Criminal Court (ICC) judges by the United States administration as an attack against the global rule of law and the independence of judges, and calls on all ICC States Parties to take actions to protect the court.

IBA President Jaime Carey said: “Since its founding in 1947, the IBA has endeavoured to protect and advance the rule of law globally.

“The IBA recognises that respect for the independence of international courts and of judges and lawyers is a fundamental principle of the rule of law.”

On 5 June, the US imposed sanctions against four ICC judges:

• Second Vice-President Judge Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou,
• Judge Beti Hohler,
• Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa, and
• Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza.

As a result of the sanctions, US assets of the designated persons will be blocked and they will be banned from entering the country.

IBA Executive Director Dr Mark Ellis commented: “The ongoing attacks by the US administration against the International Criminal Court are a deeply troubling and unacceptable effort to obstruct the court’s mandate and undermine the pursuit of justice for victims of the most serious international crimes.

“ICC States Parties must respond with clarity and resolve to defend the integrity and independence of the court.”

Arrest warrants

Judge Alapini Gansou and Judge Beti Hohler approved the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024.

Judge Balungi Bossa and Judge Ibáñez Carranza authorised the opening of an ICC investigation in Afghanistan in March 2020.

The additional sanctions were deployed pursuant to Executive Order 14203 issued by US President Donald Trump on 6 February, and imposing sanctions on the ICC Prosecutor.

The IBA denounced US sanctions against the ICC and called on all states to respect the judicial independence of the court.