Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgium has denounced the recent imposition of US sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, saying that this act is an assault on the court’s independence and hinders the global fight against criminal activities.
The Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot made the statement on Thursday, August 20, 2026, which was two days after the administration of US President Donald Trump sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and Chief Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
“Belgium condemns all sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, its officials and those cooperating with it,”
Prévot said. He warned that the measures threaten the court’s independence and impartiality and weaken the global fight against impunity.
Why did Belgium condemn the US sanctions?
The Belgian government maintained that the ICC needs to perform its duties free from intimidation, political pressure, or retribution. The Belgian government also opposed the United States’ claim that the imposition of sanctions was vital for safeguarding US and Israeli sovereignty.
⚖️ Belgium condemns all sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, its officials and those cooperating with it. The measures undermine the Court’s independence and impartiality and weaken the global fight against impunity. The #ICC must be free to fulfil its mandate…
— Maxime PREVOT (@prevotmaxime) August 20, 2026
“This is not about defending national sovereignty. On the contrary, sovereignty also carries the responsibility to abide by the fundamental principles of international law,” Prévot said.
As stated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Brussels will continue to assist those people who were affected and are seeking justice. Belgium is one of the countries that signed the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC). It has always supported the ICC.
Which ICC officials were sanctioned?
US sanctioned Akane and Seye on August 18 through the Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Akane is a Japanese judge serving as the president of the ICC, while Seye is a Senegalese senior trial lawyer in the ICC prosecutor’s office. The US government claims that the two officials have engaged in the process of investigating, arresting, detaining, and prosecuting nationals of countries that have refused the jurisdiction of the court.
The US government claims that the ICC is “corrupt and fatally politicized” and that it abuses its powers and mandate. The investigations conducted by the court involving US nationals and Israeli officials are perceived by the US government as a threat to their national sovereignty. The sanctions have been implemented according to Executive Order 14203 issued by President Trump on February 6, 2025. According to the order, the US government can freeze property or financial interest of individuals involved in ICC actions towards US nationals or nationals of the allies of the US.
How has Europe reacted?
The reaction from Belgium was preceded by reactions from European high-ranking officials and governments. In that regard, the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, noted that they were fully on the side of the ICC, Akane, and other ICC officials.
European high-ranking officials emphasized that it is important that judges and prosecutors could operate freely without any influence from politicians. Moreover, the host nation of the ICC, The Hague-based Netherlands, was not pleased with the sanctions. The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, pointed out that international tribunals must be able to do their work freely.
EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc “deeply regrets” the US decision and reaffirmed the importance of judicial independence.
What EU action is Belgium seeking?
According to Prévot, Belgium will go ahead to push for the activation of the EU Blocking Statute aimed at protecting European entities and persons from the extraterritorial impacts of sanctions imposed by the United States. The EU Blocking Statute is designed in such a way that it prevents EU operators from implementing some foreign sanctions which are not recognized by the European Union.
In addition, it enables European corporations to claim damages incurred due to the foreign measures. However, the activation of the instrument will not be easy for Europeans. Banks, companies and organizations operating in Europe will have to make a tough decision of either following the EU regulations or risking losing access to the American markets and the US financial system.
When Did Belgium Previously Criticize US action?
The criticism issued is not the first time Belgium had criticized the US sanctions against ICC officials. On September 17, 2025, Belgium had condemned the US sanctions imposed on three Palestinian human rights organizations: Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. The Belgian Foreign Ministry had stated that the sanction was imposed on these organizations due to their collaboration with the ICC and termed this development highly disturbing.
Moreover, on August 20, 2025, the US sanctions imposed on four ICC officials had also been criticized by Belgium. Washington had issued sanctions on ICC judges Kimberly Prost and Nicolas Guillou, and deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang.
