EU’s Kallas warns international legal order under "assault," pledges support for ICC

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on October 27 that the international legal order was under “assault,” as the bloc explored options to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid mounting pressure, including sanctions imposed by the United States.

Earlier this year, Washington sanctioned six ICC judges and three prosecutors, including the court’s chief prosecutor, who temporarily stepped aside in May following a United Nations investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. The US is reportedly considering further sanctions against the entire court, Caliber.Az reports via Reuters. 

Speaking at the College of Europe in Bruges, Kallas said, “A broad assault is going on against the international legal order, human rights, internationally agreed norms, and the institutions we have established to enforce them.”

She emphasised that the EU maintained a long-standing and “robust policy of supporting the ICC,” but acknowledged that “the bloc had its flaws too.”

All EU member states currently belong to the ICC, but Hungary has announced plans to withdraw from the court.

Addressing this move, Kallas stated, “One member state has announced its intention to withdraw from the ICC, but all member states are legally bound by decisions that are adopted by the Council, including the decision in support of the ICC and including in the case of a withdrawal.”

The EU’s top diplomat said Brussels was examining practical measures to bolster the court amid challenges.

"In Brussels, we are currently looking at all available options, including specific mitigating measures, for how we can make this support count for the ICC in its time of struggle,” she said.

By Sabina Mammadli