Dr Mark Ellis | Executive Director | International Bar Association | mail me |
The extraordinary attack launched by United States National Security Advisor John Bolton against the International Criminal Court (ICC) not only dismisses the principle of accountability for war crimes, but reinforces the Trump administration’s repugnant policy of exceptionalism, whereby the US demands adherence to international law by all countries except itself.
Bolton’s bellicose suggestion that ICC judges and prosecutors could face prosecution in the US is a distressing extension of the Trump administration’s attack on the judiciary – both domestic and now international.
The ICC was created to end impunity for perpetrators of the most heinous crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, when nations are unwilling or unable to prosecute. Despite its complicated relationship with the Court, the US has always stood strong against impunity, and supported the ICC’s jurisdictional mandate involving atrocities committed in Sudan and Libya. But any constructive engagement with the Court has now ended.
The Trump administration seeks to dismantle completely a legal entity, the sole purpose of which is to bring justice to victims of the most unimaginable atrocities. History will rightfully judge this pernicious policy as an affront to the dignity of mankind.
