Belgium urges EU to activate 'blocking statute' to protect the International Criminal Court

Brussels, October 9 (KUNA) — Belgium called on the European Union on Friday to activate the EU Blocking Regulation to shield the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its supporters from U.S. sanctions, emphasizing the need for concrete European measures to preserve the court’s independence and its ability to carry out its mandate.

In a statement posted on the X platform, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost “strongly condemns the new U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court,” warning that efforts to paralyze the court deny victims access to justice and shield those responsible for the gravest crimes from prosecution. He added that Belgium has taken the initiative to place support for the ICC on the agenda for discussion with his European counterparts, the foreign ministers, during their meeting next Monday, stressing the necessity of taking action to provide tangible protection for the court.

Prevost affirmed that “the independence of the court cannot depend on the parties it investigates,” calling on Europe to act in defense of the court and its right to apply international law without foreign sanctions constraining its options. He underscored the need to activate the EU Blocking Regulation to protect the court and the entities supporting its work against U.S. sanctions.

The EU Blocking Regulation is a legal instrument designed to protect European companies and individuals from the effects of certain foreign sanctions and laws with extraterritorial application, by limiting their recognition within the EU and providing legal mechanisms to shield against their repercussions.

Earlier on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States intends to impose broad sanctions on the ICC, which would prohibit financial transactions with the court, cut off its resources, and paralyze its operations. He noted, however, that these measures are designed to be reversible in the event a diplomatic solution is reached that addresses Washington’s concerns.

In response, the ICC warned in a statement that the U.S. sanctions constitute an assault on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal system, affirming that they would not deter it from continuing to carry out its mandate independently and impartially. (End) A.R.N. / M.A.A.