ICC President tells UN the court will fulfill its mandate - NHKニュース

The president of the International Criminal Court, Akane Tomoko, has criticized US sanctions against the court and said it will continue to fulfill its mandate.

The court investigates and tries individuals charged with grave crimes including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Akane presented the court's annual report on Monday to the UN General Assembly in New York in a pre-recorded video. Sanctions imposed on her earlier by the administration under President Donald Trump made it difficult for her to enter the United States.

Akane said the US imposed sanctions on the ICC as an institution on October 9, the same day that former ICC Judge Navi Pillay was awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize. She said, "The contrast could not be starker: on the one hand, global recognition of the value of international justice; on the other, an attempt to subdue the institution that embodies it."

She said, "Despite all the challenges, the International Criminal Court will continue to carry out its judicial mandate with full independence and impartiality."

Akane called for the support of countries that created the ICC, noting that defending the court also means "safeguarding the international order grounded upon the rule of law."

She also urged all UN member states to assist in the arrest and surrender of individuals subject to the court's warrants, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Akane reported that six member states had notified their withdrawal from the ICC. Trump has called on countries to quit the court.

Israel and Russia criticized the report. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also the subject of a warrant issued by the court.

Western and other countries expressed support for the ICC and voiced concern over the sanctions and pressure.