The International Criminal Court is an ‘important cog’ in the pursuit of global justice

In his regular press briefing, UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric was asked whether the Secretary-General had an opinion on reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wanted to “dismantle” the Tribunal, which tried individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression.

“Although the ICC is a separate organization from the Secretariat and the UN, for us it remains an important cog in the international justice system.Mr. Dujarric said.

“It is supported by a large number of member states, and helps provide accountability for serious crimes,” he added.

The US is not a party to the Rome Statue, the 1998 agreement that established the ICC, which is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

Learn more about the ICC at our explanation here.

Mr. Rubio laid out his plans in an opinion piece published in Wall Street Journalunderlines sovereignty and independence.

“America has never agreed to a world court that could overrule our own courts and the Constitution,” he wrote.

The US “launched a diplomatic campaign with a simple message – countries are sovereign over globalism,” continued Secretary Rubio.

This comes after developments last year, when Washington imposed sanctions on nine ICC personnel – including judges, prosecutors and deputy prosecutors – in connection with efforts to investigate alleged war crimes committed by US forces in Afghanistan and Israel in Gaza.

International law ‘under attack’

In his op-ed, Rubio stressed that “freedom is our fundamental right” and the US has “no intention of trading it for a self-appointed government of ‘international law’”.

Mr Dujarric was asked whether the Secretary-General accepted that characterization of the system UN Charter built on.

“International law, the Charter of the United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rightscreated by sovereign Member States,” he said.

“They have provided protection, have provided assistance to millions of people, and they are, as the Secretary-General has often said, under threat and attack.”