Istanbul - More than 70 signatory countries to the Rome Statute have expressed their support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) which was recently sanctioned by the United States for investigating Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement on Friday, the group of countries including France, Germany, Britain and the Netherlands reiterated their support for the ICC's independence, integrity and impartiality.
The ICC is an important pillar of the international justice system that can ensure justice for the most serious international crimes as well as justice for victims, the statement said.
However, what is happening now is that there are parties who are "imposing sanctions on the ICC, its officials and staff, and other parties who cooperate in response to the Court carrying out its duties under the Rome Statute."
According to the joint statement, such actions could "exacerbate the risk of impunity for serious crimes and threaten the rule of international law which is crucial to advancing global order and security."
The joint statement also raised concerns that the sanctions could compromise the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of relevant parties, including victims, witnesses and Court officials.
The ICC's supporting countries are concerned that the sanctions could "severely undermine all situations under investigation because the Court may be forced to close its field offices."
They asserted that advancing the ICC meant serving “a shared interest in advancing accountability.”
As key supporters of the ICC, the countries expressed concern over "attempts to undermine the Court's independence, integrity and impartiality" and pledged to continue to assist the ICC to carry out its work effectively and independently.
"As we work together to uphold international justice, we underscore the key role of the ICC in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law, and ensuring respect for international law and human rights," the joint statement said.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC for its "unlawful and baseless actions against America and our close ally Israel."