UN Defends International Criminal Court as ‘Critical Cog’ in Global Justice Amid U.S. Calls to Dismantle It
The United Nations has strongly defended the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing it as “a critical cog in the international justice system” amid renewed calls from the United States to weaken or dismantle the Hague-based tribunal. The remarks came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the Trump administration’s campaign against the court, arguing that it infringes upon national sovereignty.
Speaking at the UN’s daily press briefing, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized that while the ICC is an independent institution and not part of the UN Secretariat, it plays a vital role in ensuring accountability for the world’s gravest crimes. He noted that the court enjoys the backing of a large majority of UN member states and contributes significantly to ending impunity for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
The UN’s response follows an opinion article by Marco Rubio, in which he argued that the United States never consented to the ICC exercising jurisdiction over American citizens. Rubio maintained that the Trump administration is launching a diplomatic campaign centred on the principle of “sovereign states over globalism”, asserting that U.S. courts—not international tribunals—should have exclusive authority over American officials and military personnel.
Dujarric rejected suggestions that international law undermines national sovereignty, pointing out that the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the broader framework of international law were all created and adopted by sovereign states themselves. He warned that these institutions and legal norms are increasingly “under threat and under attack”, stressing that they have long served as essential safeguards for peace, justice and human rights worldwide.
The renewed confrontation comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Washington and the ICC. The United States, which is not a party to the Rome Statute, has opposed investigations involving U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and has also criticized the court’s actions relating to Israel. Last year, Washington imposed sanctions on several ICC officials in connection with investigations into alleged war crimes involving U.S. forces and Israeli actions in Gaza.
The ICC, established in 2002 and headquartered in The Hague, remains the world’s first permanent international criminal court. It has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression in cases involving member states or those referred by the UN Security Council. While more than 120 countries are parties to the Rome Statute, major powers including the United States, China, Russia and India are not members.
The UN’s endorsement underscores the growing international debate over the future of global justice institutions. As geopolitical divisions deepen, the ICC continues to occupy a central role in efforts to prosecute perpetrators of the world’s most serious crimes, even as some governments challenge its authority and jurisdiction.
