On March 31st, 2021, Representative Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, demanded that the US government impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who are pursuing investigations into alleged war crimes committed by the United States and Israel. This move is seen as a countermeasure to protect US servicemen and women and Israeli citizens from potential political prosecutions by the ICC.
Roy specifically targeted the ICC’s new chief prosecutor, British lawyer Karim Khan, claiming that he was a “partisan for radical Islam”. The congressman pushed for former president Trump’s policy of sanctions against the ICC to be continued by President Biden.
The ICC investigations have been controversial with political stakes involved. The ICC aims to ensure justice for victims of the most serious crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, its jurisdiction and legitimacy have been challenged by nations who point out it has disproportionately targeted African nations in the past and has not held powerful countries accountable to international law in the same way.
The US and Israel are subjected to potential investigations by the ICC because the court’s jurisdiction applies to all individuals, not just nationals from countries that are parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty which founded the ICC. Both the US and Israel have not ratified the Rome Statute due to concerns of infringing on their sovereignty and that political factors may bias investigations.
Chip Roy demands sanctions on ICC officials going after US, Israel
On March 31st, 2021, Representative Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, demanded that the US government impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who are pursuing investigations into alleged war crimes committed by the United States and Israel. This move is seen as a countermeasure to protect US servicemen and women and Israeli citizens from potential political prosecutions by the ICC.
Roy specifically targeted the ICC’s new chief prosecutor, British lawyer Karim Khan, claiming that he was a “partisan for radical Islam”. The congressman pushed for former president Trump’s policy of sanctions against the ICC to be continued by President Biden.
The ICC investigations have been controversial with political stakes involved. The ICC aims to ensure justice for victims of the most serious crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, its jurisdiction and legitimacy have been challenged by nations who point out it has disproportionately targeted African nations in the past and has not held powerful countries accountable to international law in the same way.
The US and Israel are subjected to potential investigations by the ICC because the court’s jurisdiction applies to all individuals, not just nationals from countries that are parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty which founded the ICC. Both the US and Israel have not ratified the Rome Statute due to concerns of infringing on their sovereignty and that political factors may bias investigations.
