United Nations rapporteurs issued a scathing condemnation on Monday of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, labeling it a direct assault on the rule of international law and a dangerous undermining of global justice.

The move, which targets court personnel and those cooperating with the ICC, has sparked outrage among human rights advocates and legal experts.

In a strongly worded statement, the UN rapporteurs expressed "deep concern" over Trump’s sanctions, describing them as an attempt to sabotage the international judicial system. "This decision is an assault on the rule of international law," the statement read, emphasizing that the sanctions will impose financial restrictions on ICC officials and weaken the court’s ability to investigate war crimes worldwide.

The rapporteurs stressed that the ICC’s judicial authority has been exercised in full compliance with international law, making Trump’s actions not only unjustified but also detrimental to global accountability. "The United States of America strengthens the power of perpetrators of war crimes by trying to punish the International Criminal Court," the statement declared, accusing the Trump administration of shielding war criminals and obstructing justice.

The sanctions, which target individuals and entities cooperating with the ICC, are seen as a blatant attempt to intimidate the court and derail its investigations into war crimes, including those allegedly committed by powerful nations. Legal experts warn that Trump’s decision could have far-reaching consequences, emboldening perpetrators and weakening the ICC’s ability to hold violators accountable.

"This is a shameful move by the Trump administration," said human rights lawyer Amal Hassan. "By attacking the ICC, the U.S. is sending a clear message that it prioritizes protecting its interests and those of its allies over the pursuit of justice for victims of war crimes."

Trump’s sanctions on ICC officials are the latest in a series of actions by his administration that have drawn criticism for flouting international norms. Critics argue that the move aligns with Trump’s broader disdain for multilateral institutions and his administration’s efforts to shield U.S. and allied personnel from accountability for alleged war crimes, including in conflicts like Afghanistan and Palestine.

The UN rapporteurs warned that the sanctions will "significantly undermine the work of the International Criminal Court," jeopardizing its ability to deliver justice for victims and uphold the principles of international humanitarian law. "This decision is not just an attack on the ICC—it’s an attack on the very idea of accountability," the statement concluded.

Human rights organizations and legal scholars have called on the international community to push back against Trump’s sanctions, urging the U.S. to reverse its decision and respect the independence of the ICC. "The ICC is a cornerstone of international justice, and attempts to undermine it must be met with global condemnation," said Sarah Al-Mutawa, a spokesperson for the Coalition for the International Criminal Court.

As outrage grows, the focus remains on the broader implications of Trump’s actions for the global fight against impunity. For now, the UN rapporteurs’ statement serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved—and a rallying cry for defending the rule of law against what they describe as a reckless and dangerous assault by the Trump administration. (ILKHA)