Tomoko Akane, the first Japanese president of the International Criminal Court, raised alarm about the potential impact of economic sanctions being discussed in the United States against the ICC. The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a bill to impose these sanctions, which could have severe consequences for the operations of the international tribunal, as pointed out by Akane in an interview with The Asahi Shimbun in Tokyo.
The proposed sanctions stem from ICC arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other Israeli officials regarding alleged war crimes against Palestine. Akane expressed uncertainty about the specifics of the legislation but emphasized the potential broad reach of the sanctions, which could encompass ICC prosecutors, judges, and staff, including herself. She warned that such sanctions could lead to a situation where the ICC is unable to function, impacting its ability to pay employees and carry out its activities.
Furthermore, Akane highlighted the implications of sanctions on the enforceability of ICC arrest warrants, not only for Israeli and Russian officials but also for leaders of Hamas. She emphasized that the undermining of the "rule of law" in the international community could result in a disregard for justice and the compensation of war crime victims. The president also mentioned the retaliatory actions taken by Russia against ICC officials, including placing them on its most wanted list following the arrest warrant issued against Putin and other Russian officials for the invasion of Ukraine in 2023. Japan, as a major financial contributor to the ICC, was urged by Akane to take diplomatic action to secure the continued existence of the international tribunal, emphasizing the country's commitment to upholding the "rule of law" domestically and internationally.