Belgium urges EU to activate 'blocking statute' to protect ICC from US sanctions
Belgium has called on the European Union to activate a blocking statute to shield the International Criminal Court from US sanctions announced by Marco Rubio, while the court warned of the impact on the rule of law.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
Belgium called on the European Union on Friday to activate the “blocking statute” to protect the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its supporters from U.S. sanctions, emphasizing the need for concrete European steps to ensure the court’s independence and continuity.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost condemned the new U.S. sanctions against the court in a statement posted on the X platform, warning that attempts to paralyze its work deprive victims of access to justice and allow those responsible for the most serious crimes to evade prosecution.
Prevost clarified that Belgium had taken the initiative to place the issue of supporting the ICC on the agenda of its discussions with European counterparts during the foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for next Monday, stressing the importance of taking practical measures to protect the court.
He affirmed that the court’s independence must not be contingent on the entities under its investigation, calling on the European Union to defend its right to apply international law without being subject to restrictions imposed by foreign sanctions.
He underscored the necessity of activating the European “blocking statute” to shield the court and its supporters from the repercussions of U.S. sanctions.
The law aims to protect European companies and individuals from the effects of certain foreign sanctions and extraterritorial legislation by limiting their recognition within the EU and providing legal mechanisms to mitigate their impact.
Earlier on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Washington’s intention to impose broad sanctions on the ICC, including a ban on financial transactions with the court and depriving it of resources, thereby threatening its ability to continue its work. He noted that the measures could be reversed if a diplomatic solution addressing U.S. concerns were reached.
In response, the ICC warned in a statement that the U.S. sanctions constitute an attack on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal system, affirming that they would not deter it from carrying out its mandate independently and impartially.
