ICC survival hinges on member state action, not just US opposition, says Al Jazeera
An Al Jazeera analysis argues that the court’s demise would result from global indifference rather than US aggression alone, calling for increased cooperation and financial backing from allies.
An opinion piece published by Al Jazeera on 9 August 2026 argues that the International Criminal Court (ICC) faces an existential threat from United States efforts to dismantle the institution. The article contends that while Washington seeks impunity, the court’s ultimate demise would result from the indifference of its supporters rather than US aggression alone. The piece identifies current US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside former officials John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, as key figures in this effort.
It cites recent withdrawals from the ICC by Venezuela and Chad as evidence of US pressure, though these claims require independent verification. The author urges member states to double cooperation with ongoing investigations in Ukraine, Palestine, and Darfur, campaign for new members to replace those lost, and provide additional financial backing. The article also criticises the European Union and Canada for failing to invoke domestic blocking statutes to protect ICC staff from US sanctions, noting the court’s 2026 budget of approximately $210 million.
The piece highlights that Lebanon has considered joining the ICC, which would grant jurisdiction over alleged crimes by Israeli officials and Hezbollah commanders, but has not yet committed. It notes that the US has a long-standing history of opposing the ICC, dating back to the George W Bush administration, with Republicans particularly focused on the institution despite no warrants ever being issued for US citizens.
The article claims that the European Union has failed to invoke its Blocking Statute and Canada has refused to invoke the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act to protect ICC judges from US sanctions. It argues that the US cannot destroy the court alone, requiring global abandonment to succeed, making robust support from allies essential to uphold the rule of law.
The piece urges ICC member states to take concrete actions, including doubling cooperation with ongoing investigations, campaigning for new members to replace those withdrawn under US pressure, providing additional financial backing, and invoking domestic laws to protect sanctioned ICC staff from US sanctions. It highlights that while the US cannot destroy the court alone, it requires global abandonment to succeed, making robust support from allies essential to uphold the rule of law.
The article references ongoing investigations in Ukraine, Palestine, and Darfur. It notes that the ICC’s 2026 budget is approximately $210 million, contrasting this with the daily cost of the US war in Iran. The piece claims that the European Union has failed to invoke its Blocking Statute and Canada has refused to invoke the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act to protect ICC judges from US sanctions.
The article asserts that the ICC is the only permanent institution capable of holding perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide to account. It argues that maintaining support for the ICC in the face of Trump’s attacks is about drawing a line and pronouncing that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law.
