Life under sanctions

Special focus 3 publications
In 2025, Donald Trump's administration activated the powerful weapon of sanctions against prosecutors and judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The reason: the ICC's prosecution of Israeli leaders for crimes committed in Gaza. Three Palestinian human rights organizations are also facing Washington's wrath. And the US government is threatening sanctions against the Court as a whole, raising questions about its very survival. How does this sanctions regime work? How do those targeted live, transformed into pariahs by the many service providers that govern everyone's daily lives? How is the Court trying to protect itself?
Illustration: © Matthieu Ossona de Mendez / Justice Info
Special report: ‘Life under sanctions’ (imposed by the US) for staff at the International Criminal Court and NGOs working with the ICC. Illustration: a colourful drawing showing a judge swimming underwater, surrounded by jellyfish. Papers bearing the ICC logo are also submerged.
Richard Rogers, a human rights lawyer, answers questions from Thierry Cruvellier (Justice Info) regarding the sanctions imposed by the US government on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and various NGOs. Illustration: portrait of Richard Rogers (watercolour).
“What has changed is who the U.S. consider to be friends or foe”
17 March 2026 by Thierry Cruvellier
The ultimate weapon that appears to threaten the very existence of the International Criminal Court is the sanctions imposed by the U.S. government. How does it work exactly? International lawyer Richard Rogers explains in our special report.
Donald Trump became President of the United States again on 20 January 2025. What danger does this represent for the International Criminal Court (ICC)? Photo: Donald Trump (back) raises his fist. Can the ICC survive the U.S. sanctions? (Part 2)
21 January 2025 by Janet H. Anderson
The upcoming U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) are throwing the court into unknown territory. They have the potential to disable the institution. Individuals working for or even interacting with the Cou [...]
Donald Trump becomes President of the United States again on 20 January 2025. What danger does this represent for the International Criminal Court (ICC)? Photo: Donald Trump (front) raises his fist. Can the ICC survive the U.S. sanctions? (Part 1)
20 January 2025 by Janet H. Anderson
Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill calling on the U.S. president to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) for any investigations into “protected persons” of the United States and its alli [...]