Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The United Nations reaffirmed the importance of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the global justice system during a media briefing on 13 July 2026. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that, although the ICC is independent of the UN Secretariat, it is supported by many Member States and helps ensure accountability for serious crimes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for dismantling the ICC, citing concerns over sovereignty and the potential for the court to override national legal systems. Rubio outlined his position in an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, emphasizing that the US never agreed to be subject to a global tribunal that could supersede its courts and Constitution, and announced a diplomatic campaign promoting state sovereignty over globalism.
The US is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC in 1998. The court prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression, and is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. In 2025, the US imposed sanctions on nine ICC personnel, including judges and prosecutors, connected to investigations into alleged war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan and Israel in Gaza.
Regarding criticism of international law as a 'self-appointed priesthood,' the UN spokesperson stressed that international law, the UN Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were created by sovereign member states and have provided protection to millions. These standards, however, remain under threat according to the Secretary-General.