International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane has denounced US sanctions against the institution, calling them an attempt to obstruct justice, as she presented the court's annual report to the UN General Assembly.
Addressing the assembly virtually on Monday, Akane said the sanctions were imposed on October 9, the same day the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay, a former judge at the court.
"The contrast could not be starker," she said.
Akane said the move followed sanctions against 13 independent judges and prosecutors, including herself, and "strikes at the heart of the sovereign equality of states."
"It is an attempt to obstruct the course of justice and to prevent the court from doing what it was created to do," she said.
Akane stressed that the court "will continue to fully discharge its mandate with independence and impartiality."
She warned that when judges are punished for their decisions, "it is not only those judges who are targeted, but judicial independence itself."
Akane urged all UN member states to take concrete action, individually and collectively, to defend the court and the principles of the Rome Statute.
She also said six states had notified the court of their withdrawal during the reporting period, while another had since taken steps to withdraw.
Akane stressed that withdrawing from the court did not relieve states of obligations arising during their membership or affect proceedings already underway.
Arrest warrants against Israeli leaders remain outstanding
Addressing the situation in Palestine, Akane said the court's Appeals Chamber confirmed on December 15, 2025, a Pre-Trial Chamber decision concerning notification requirements under Article 18 of the Rome Statute.
She added that arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant remained outstanding.
"Arrest warrants cannot be executed without the cooperation of states," Akane said, urging member states to assist in the arrest and surrender of individuals subject to outstanding warrants.
"Rome was not built in a day, and neither was the Rome Statute. Every day, we must ensure that this delicate fabric withstands the forces trying to tear it apart," she said.
"The time to act is now."
