Legal organisations have joined together to condemn the latest sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the Trump administration.
The ICC is an independent judicial institution that deals with the most serious global crimes including crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.
Since February 2025, US sanctions have targeted ICC judges, prosecutors and staff, as well as a UN Special Rapporteur and civil society organisations engaging with the court. The consequences of these sanctions extend beyond the court and those who work for it.
The ICC is currently investigating 13 situations, with seven individuals in custody. Sanctions against the court risk obstructing justice by undermining investigations and trials, witness protection, victims’ rights to justice and reparation, and accountability for the most serious crimes.
The Bar Council of England and Wales joins with other Bar and law associations in urging the US administration to withdraw all sanctions imposed against the ICC and its personnel, as well as sanctions against the UN Special Rapporteur and civil society organisations arising from their engagement with the court, and to refrain from measures that interfere with the independent administration of justice.
We are also calling on the UK government and other states parties to use every available diplomatic means to persuade the US to reverse the sanctions, take effective steps to protect the court’s independence and ability to function, and safeguard those who work with and support the court.
At a time of increasing pressure on international law and its institutions, we join our national and international lawyer colleagues in defending the independence of courts and legal professionals.
Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC said: "The Bar Council of England and Wales is deeply concerned by the further US sanctions imposed on ICC judges, prosecutors and staff, as well as a UN Special Rapporteur and civil society organisations affected.
"The independence of our international legal system is a fundamental principle of the rule of law. Sanctions directed at individuals because of their work in an independent judicial institution stifle the administration of justice and so impede access to the court by those who are suffering the most egregious crimes.
“Independent courts, lawyers and judges must be able to perform their duties without fear or favour. We join with other Bar and law associations in defence of international law and the administration of justice; this includes protecting the ICC from political interference, attacks and pressure."
The joint statement is signed by the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Bar of Northern Ireland, Faculty of Advocates (Scotland), Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, Law Society of England and Wales, Law Society of Northern Ireland, Law Society of Scotland, Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), European Criminal Bar Association, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), Lawyers for Lawyers, Judges for Judges, Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe (FBE), Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane (Union of the Italian Criminal Chambers), Abogacía Española Consejo General and Observatoire international des avocats en danger (International Observatory for Lawyers).