US President Donald Trump has urged countries to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), branding the Hague-based tribunal “evil” and a “rogue institution” — but so far, only tiny Pacific nation Naoero has announced its withdrawal during this week’s UN General Assembly.
Trump made the appeal on Tuesday as his administration stepped up its campaign against the ICC, accusing the court of overreaching by claiming jurisdiction over citizens of countries that have not ratified its founding Rome Statute, including the United States and Israel.
The ICC has 125 member states, while several governments, particularly in Europe, have publicly defended the court and its role in prosecuting serious international crimes.
Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten told the General Assembly on Thursday that the ICC was “under attack” and urged countries to protect institutions supporting the international legal order. His remarks received loud applause from delegates.
The US has already imposed financial sanctions and visa restrictions on ICC personnel, while the Trump administration is preparing broader measures that could affect the court’s ability to operate, according to people familiar with the plans.
‘DISMANTLE THE ICC’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a diplomatic campaign in July aimed at isolating and ultimately dismantling the ICC, saying Washington would work to do so “brick by brick” if necessary.
The administration’s campaign has been linked to ICC arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other figures over alleged crimes connected to the Gaza war, as well as the court’s previous investigation into alleged US military actions in Afghanistan.
Venezuela and Chad have also announced plans to withdraw from the ICC, while Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawals the previous year.
Naoero President David Adeang said in his UN General Assembly speech on Tuesday that his country would formally withdraw from the Rome Statute, citing what he described as the ICC’s “increasing irrelevance”.
US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre welcomed the decision, saying Naoero had joined countries standing up for their sovereignty against what he called the ICC’s overreach.
EU RALLIES BEHIND COURT
The European Union has backed the ICC, with officials discussing possible measures to shield the court from the impact of potential US sanctions.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had tools available to defend the court and was working at the UN to rally support for its continued operations.
Japan has also voiced support for the ICC. Japanese officials expressed concern over the proposed US sanctions after ICC President Tomoko Akane was sanctioned by Washington, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated Japan’s support for the court in her UN address.
Brian Finucane, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, said many countries remained committed to the ICC’s accountability mission. He also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has targeted the court since it issued an arrest warrant for him.
Finucane said the Trump administration’s campaign had put Washington in alignment with Moscow on sanctions targeting ICC personnel, while arguing that Russia would also benefit if the court were weakened.
