Washington: Angry over possible action against Israeli crimes against Palestine and investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan, US has threatened to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court located at Hague and to arrest its judges.
Launching a blistering verbal attack on the International Criminal Court (ICC), the United States threatened sanctions against its judges if they proceed with a probe into alleged war crimes by Americans in Afghanistan.
John Bolton, President Donald Trump’s national security adviser told that the United States would use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court. He told that they will neither cooperate with the ICC nor will provide any assistance to it. ‘We will let the ICC die on its own’, said Bolton.
International Criminal law was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute. It is the world’s first permanent court set up to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. More than 120 countries are members, excluding US, Russia and China – have not signed up.
Bolton objected over the idea that the ICC could have higher authority than the US Constitution and US sovereignty. He said, “In secular terms, we don’t recognise any higher authority than the US constitution.” He added, “This president will not allow American citizens to be prosecuted by foreign bureaucrats, and he will not allow other nations to dictate our means of self-defence.”