ICCBA CONDEMNS U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST FRANCESCA ALBANESE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA) strongly condemns the imposition of sanctions by the United States Government on Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in response to her engagement with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Targeting a UN-appointed independent expert for cooperating with a judicial institution mandated to investigate and prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes represents a direct affront to the rule of law and the independence of international justice. Framing such cooperation as “lawfare” or “economic warfare” and calling her activities “biased and malicious”, is inflammatory and legally unfounded.

Sanctioning individuals for supporting or contributing to judicial processes before the ICC also undermines the rights of victims, the integrity of proceedings, and the fundamental principle that legal professionals and experts must be able to perform their functions without fear of retaliation.

This action is part of a deeply concerning trend. The ICC Prosecutor and four sitting judges of the Court were previously subjected to sanctions that the ICCBA also condemned. Together, these acts constitute an escalating campaign of intimidation aimed at deterring the pursuit of accountability for the most serious international crimes.

The ICCBA calls on all States to uphold their obligations under international law, to reject the politicisation of international justice, and to protect those who carry out work before the ICC. The use of unilateral coercive measures against professionals engaged in lawful judicial activity is unacceptable.

The ICCBA stands in full solidarity with Ms. Albanese and with all those targeted for their contributions to the work of the Court. We remain steadfast in its commitment to preserving the independence of the legal profession and the integrity of international criminal proceedings.