ICC gives victims of the gravest crimes a voice, EU leader says

BRUSSELS: The EU has given its backing to the International Criminal Court after Washington imposed sanctions on four ICC judges, and EU member Slovenia said it would push Brussels to use its power to ensure the US sanctions could not be enforced in Europe.

“The ICC holds perpetrators of the world’s gravest crimes to account and gives victims a voice. It must be free to act without pressure,” European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said on the social media platform X.

Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, which represents national governments of the 27 member states, called the court “a cornerstone of international justice” and said its independence and integrity must be protected.

The International Criminal Court must be free to act without pressure.

Ursula Von der Leyen, European Commission president