The International Criminal Court's president has criticized the US and Russia for impeding its investigations with threats and sanctions. Judge Tomoko Akane highlighted the seriousness of these actions during the court's annual meeting in The Hague, addressing remarks from US Senator Lindsey Graham who called on Congress to sanction the court's prosecutor. These reactions come in response to ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, which Senator Graham condemned, calling the court a "dangerous joke."
Judge Akane also noted Russia's retaliatory arrest warrants against ICC officials following actions taken against President Vladimir Putin. The Assembly of States Parties, representing 124 member nations, is meeting to elect officials and review the court's budget amidst these tensions. The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute severe crimes like genocide and war crimes, faces challenges in enforcement as it relies on member states to carry out arrests.
International responses have varied; some countries have pledged to respect their treaty obligations, while others have criticized or resisted the ICC's warrants. The situation underscores tensions within global justice systems, with experts warning that continued pressure could weaken international law. Concurrently, the ICC's prosecutor Karim Khan faces personal allegations of misconduct, prompting an external investigation that might be addressed at the meeting. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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