ZDA so sporočile Mednarodnemu kazenskemu sodišču, da ne priznavajo njegove pristojnosti.

The United States has formally informed the International Criminal Court (ICC) that it does not recognize its jurisdiction over American citizens. This declaration was made by the U.S. Department of Justice, which stated that the country will not cooperate with the court in any investigations and rejects any claim of jurisdiction over Americans. The decision comes as part of a broader diplomatic stance against the ICC, reflecting long-standing skepticism about the court's legitimacy and fairness.

The announcement was accompanied by a letter from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed to ICC President Tomoko Akane. In the letter, Blanche criticized the ICC’s increasing perceived illegality and lack of impartiality. He pointed to the court’s history of selective enforcement of justice and alleged credible accusations based on internal crimes, suggesting these factors cast doubt on the court’s neutrality, credibility, and legitimacy. These remarks align with previous criticisms from the Trump administration, which has consistently viewed the ICC as biased and politically motivated.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February last year imposing sanctions on the ICC in retaliation for what he described as “illegal and unfounded actions” directed against the United States and its ally Israel. Under this order, at least 11 individuals associated with the ICC were sanctioned, including Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. These sanctions targeted those involved in investigating Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and allegations of war crimes committed by U.S. troops in Afghanistan. In 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, further escalating tensions between the U.S. and the court.

The sanctions imposed on ICC officials include freezing assets in the U.S. and restricting access to the American financial system. Three female judges from the ICC—Kimberly Prost from Canada, Solomon Balungi Bossa from Uganda, and Reine Alapini-Gansou from Benin—filed lawsuits against former President Trump and other American officials, including Blanche, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Their legal challenges argue that the retaliatory measures violate international law and infringe upon their rights. These cases are currently under judicial review, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and the ICC.

The U.S., along with Israel, Russia, and China, remains one of the few countries that do not recognize the ICC’s authority. In contrast, nearly all Western democracies support the court, viewing it as a vital institution for holding perpetrators of serious international crimes accountable. Established in 2002, the ICC serves as a final court of appeal for cases where states fail to investigate or prosecute the most severe international crimes, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Its mandate is to ensure accountability when national legal systems are unable or unwilling to act.

The situation reflects a deeper ideological divide between nations that prioritize sovereignty and national interests over supranational legal frameworks. While the U.S. and its allies see the ICC as an encroachment on their autonomy, many European and African countries view the court as essential for upholding global justice. As the legal battles continue, the future of the ICC’s relationship with the U.S. remains uncertain, with potential implications for international law and the balance of power among global institutions.