UN Rights Body Deeply Concerned About US Sanctions Against ICC Officials

By Staff, Agencies

The United Nations [UN] human rights office said Friday that it is deeply concerned about the US sanctions against some International Criminal Court [ICC] officials engaged in an investigation into possible war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan.

"The independence of the ICC and its ability to operate without interference must be guaranteed so that it can decide matters without any improper influence, inducement, pressures, threats or interference, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reasons," Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told a briefing in Geneva.

"Victims of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law and their families have the right to redress and the truth," Colville added.

Earlier on Thursday, the White House said in a statement that US President Donald Trump has authorized economic sanctions against ICC officials "directly engaged with any effort to investigate or prosecute United States personnel without the consent of the United States," as well as the expansion of visa restrictions against these officials and their family members.

The ICC in March authorized an investigation into possible war crimes in Afghanistan, including those that may have been committed by the US military and the Central Intelligence Agency, which could lead to the indictment of US military and intelligence personnel.