A UN human rights expert has urged an end to double standards against the International Criminal Court (ICC), whose judges have been sanctioned by the US after issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials for alleged war crimes in besieged Gaza.
"If every person is equal before the law, the actions of the ICC demonstrate that the same is true for both victims and alleged perpetrators," said Margaret Satterthwaite, UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York.
"It’s time to end the double standards — international justice exists or it does not."
Satterthwaite said threats and sanctions against the ICC "promote a culture of impunity" and interfere with freedom of expression and the work of human rights defenders, calling such actions "incompatible with international law."
"I want to call on all states very clearly to respect the court's independence as a judicial institution and protect the independence and impartiality of all those who work there," she added.
The US imposed sanctions in August on four ICC officials, including a judge who approved the warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
In February, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order placing financial and visa restrictions on ICC staff and anyone assisting investigations into war crimes by the US and its allies, including Israel.
Israel obliged to allow aid into Gaza
Earlier today, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel is obliged under the Geneva Convention to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by third states and impartial humanitarian groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), to ensure that sufficient aid reaches Palestine's Gaza.
In its detailed opinion on Wednesday, the world court underscored that Israel, as the occupying power, carries an unconditional duty to ensure the local population’s basic needs are met.
It found that the population of Gaza has been "inadequately" supplied within the meaning of Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and that Israel must therefore permit and assist humanitarian relief operations.
The court said Israel severely restricted the entry of aid and even blocked the delivery of humanitarian and medical supplies starting on March 2, allowing only limited amounts to resume as of May 19.
