Amnesty International and Rights Watch warn against appeasing Washington and call for the protection of the International Criminal Court – Algerian Dialogue

On Monday, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch appealed to the member states of the International Criminal Court to confront the US sanctions imposed on the court and its officials, stressing that the independence of the judicial institution is in danger due to pressure from the United States and Russia.

The calls came during the opening of the 24th session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in The Hague, which continues until December 6, where the two organizations stressed the importance of rejecting any attempt to restrict the work of the court and protecting human rights defenders cooperating with it.

Erika Guevara Rosas of Amnesty International said that the US sanctions targeting Palestinian judges, prosecutors and organizations represent an “existential attack,” warning that accepting any American conditions would violate the principles of the Constituent Court. In turn, Human Rights Watch confirmed that the US sanctions, Russian arrest warrants, and recent electronic hacks aim to disrupt the work of the court at the global level.

The two organizations stressed the need for member states to use the Assembly sessions to limit the effects of sanctions and nullify them, with the European Union activating the “blocking law” to protect the court. The Assembly also discussed issues of non-cooperation and approving the 2026 budget to enhance the court’s capabilities in facing ongoing international challenges.