Top NGOs call on Biden to head off threats to ICC

Alameen Templeton

Leading human rights groups have called on US President Joe Biden to respect and support the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to reject sanctions threatened against its officials. 

The NGOs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, say in a letter to Biden the ICC has a vital role to play in ensuring justice for grave international crimes.

They Thursday urged Biden to denounce threats by US lawmakers to sanction ICC officials if arrest warrants for war crimes were pursued against top Israeli officials.

“Acting on these calls would do grave harm to the interests of all victims globally and to the US government’s ability to champion human rights and the cause of justice, which are stated priorities of your administration,” it said.

Full respect for the ICC was a prerequisite to providing justice for victims, it said: “A selective approach to judicial decisions undermines the credibility, and ultimately, the force of the law as a shield against human rights violations and abuses.”

“We urge you to oppose any legislative efforts to undermine the ICC, and to make clear that regardless of its views on specific ICC investigations, the United States continues to support independent international justice mechanisms,” the letter added.

Some US lawmakers have threatened the ICC with “consequences” over it issuance of arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials accused of war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant. The request also includes Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif.