In Brussels today, European Council President António Costa held a meeting with the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), affirming the European Union’s (EU) support for the court’s vital role in delivering justice.
“Today I met with Judge Tomoko Akane, President of the ICC. The court is crucial for addressing the injustices faced by victims of some of the most heinous crimes globally,” Costa stated in a post on the social media platform X, sharing images from their discussion.
As reports surfaced regarding U.S. President Donald Trump planning to impose sanctions on the ICC due to its actions related to the United States and its allies, particularly Israel, Costa underscored the importance of the court’s independence and impartiality without directly referencing the potential U.S. sanctions. “The EU is dedicated to combating impunity and ensuring accountability for all breaches of international law,” he added.
During their meeting at the European Council headquarters, they addressed the implications of any potential U.S. sanctions on the ICC. Following this discussion, the European Council reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting the ICC, with Costa and Akane exploring avenues for enhancing the EU’s backing for this international legal institution.
The ICC, established under the Rome Statute that took effect in 2002, operates independently from the United Nations to prosecute individuals for grave international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
In November, the ICC released arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of employing starvation as a method of warfare and committing acts of persecution and murder. Additionally, leaders from the Palestinian militant group were implicated in crimes against humanity, with some of the accused reported deceased. (06/02/25)
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