UN Experts Decry Threats Against ICC Over Gaza Investigations

Geneva, UN experts today expressed their deep concerns regarding threats made by officials from the United States and Israel against the International Criminal Court (ICC), its personnel, and their families. These threats have been issued in response to the ICC’s actions and ongoing investigations related to the conflict in Gaza.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the experts are alarmed by the aggressive rhetoric aimed at undermining the ICC’s efforts to pursue international justice for alleged crimes in Gaza. On May 4, the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICC highlighted the seriousness of these threats, emphasizing that they could constitute offenses against the administration of justice under international law.

The experts criticized the behavior of the United States and Israel as contrary to the principles of rule of law and human rights. They urged all states to uphold the independence of the ICC and ensure the safety and impartiality of its personnel. This call comes amidst inflammatory statements and proposed punitive measures from both countries, including potential sanctions and funding cuts that could impede the ICC’s function and its mandate to investigate serious international crimes, including those potentially committed in the State of Palestine and by Palestinian nationals inside Israel.

The UN body reiterated the importance of ethical conduct by public officials and stressed that the ICC’s work is critical for maintaining global justice systems and must be protected from political interference.