Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay said U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) interfere with judges’ work, as a temporary U.S. license permits specified transactions needed to keep the court operating.
In an interview published Oct. 21, Pillay called the measures “a shock” and “unacceptable,” France 24 reported. She said politicians should not interfere in judicial work and that she had traveled to The Hague to show solidarity with ICC staff.
The U.S. Treasury Department placed the ICC itself on its sanctions list Oct. 9, the day the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Pillay’s award. U.S. sanctions had previously targeted court personnel.
Treasury’s General License 13 authorizes specified transactions to maintain or wind down ICC operations, subject to exceptions. It covers payments by member states, staff salaries and routine services.
Pillay defended the United Nations commission of inquiry she chaired, saying it found Israel committed genocide in Gaza after careful consideration. She separately rejected claims that the ICC singles out African countries.
The European Commission is considering whether to apply the EU’s blocking statute to the U.S. measures, a step that could help companies continue providing services to the court. The Commission said Oct. 19 it had discussed the option with EU member states and contacted countries party to the ICC about practical protections.
The Commission has announced no decision date. General License 13 runs until 12:01 a.m. ET on April 7, 2027, and the United States said it could adjust the license depending on diplomatic progress.
