ICC International Criminal Court

Executive Order on the Termination of Emergency With Respect to the International Criminal Court

April 01, 2021   Presidential Actions

…I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, find that, although the United States continues to object to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) assertions of jurisdiction over personnel of such non-States Parties as the United States and its allies absent their consent or referral by the United Nations Security Council and will vigorously protect current and former United States personnel from any attempts to exercise such jurisdiction, the threat and imposition of financial sanctions against the Court, its personnel, and those who assist it are not an effective or appropriate strategy for addressing the United States’ concerns with the ICC.

Accordingly, I hereby terminate the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13928 of June 11, 2020 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons Associated With the International Criminal Court), and revoke that order, and further order:

Section 1.  In light of the revocation of Executive Order 13928, the suspension of entry as immigrants and nonimmigrants of individuals meeting the criteria set forth in section 1(a) of that order will no longer be in effect as of the date of this order and such individuals will no longer be treated as persons covered by Presidential Proclamation 8693 of July 24, 2011 (Suspension of Entry of Aliens Subject to United Nations Security Council Travel Bans and International Emergency Economic Powers Act Sanctions)…
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The ICC welcomes the decision by the US Government ending sanctions and visa restrictions against ICC personnel
Press Release  2 April 2021
The International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) welcomes the decision by the US Government to revoke Executive Order 13928, ending sanctions against the ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and a senior staff member of her office, Phakiso Mochochoko, as well as visa restrictions on certain ICC personnel.

The Court is mindful that the United States has traditionally made important contributions to the cause of international criminal justice. The Court stands ready to reengage with the US in the continuation of that tradition based on mutual respect and constructive engagement.

In the fulfilment of its independent and impartial judicial mandate, the Court acts strictly within the confines of the Rome Statute, as a Court of last resort, in a manner complementary to national jurisdictions. The Court relies on the support and cooperation of its States Parties, representing all regions of the world, and of the international community more broadly.