“We are particularly concerned in light of recent reports of senior ICC staff resigning from their positions as a consequence of these threats…..These threats constitute improper interference with the independence of the ICC and could hinder the ability of ICC judges, prosecutors, and staff to carry out their professional duties.”
This was reported in a statement by experts of the UN Human Rights Council, which was signed by Special Rapporteur on the situation with human rights defenders Michel Forst and Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Diego Garcia-Sayan.
According to experts of the UNHCR, threats from the United States against the ICC may lead to the fact that human rights defenders, representatives of civil societies, representatives of victims or companies may also be lax about cooperating with the ICC.
Earlier, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that from March 15, the United States imposed visa restrictions on individuals involved in investigations into the International Criminal Court regarding the crimes of the US military. He also said that the US is ready to use economic sanctions against the ICC, if it does not stop investigations against American citizens.
US national security adviser John Bolton also threatened the ICC judges and prosecutors with freezing of accounts, a ban on entry and prosecution in the United States if they continue to investigate the war crimes of the United States, Israel or other countries friendly to Washington.