The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Tomoko Akane, has issued a formal appeal to member states to support the institution in the face of recent sanctions imposed by the United States. In a video statement released on Friday, Akane characterized the situation as a defining moment for the global legal order, stating that the court’s survival is essential for maintaining a system grounded in the rule of law.

The sanctions represent a significant escalation in tensions between the ICC and the U.S. government. While the provided report notes that these measures were implemented shortly after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, it does not detail the specific legal or political justifications provided by the U.S. for the sanctions. The ICC’s stance is that the court’s independence is currently under threat, necessitating a unified response from its member nations to ensure its continued operation and legitimacy on the international stage.