Volker Turk warns that American sanctions on ICC cooperation may have a “scary effect” on civil society worldwide.
The United Nations Human Rights Head, Volker Turk, rejected American sanctions against Palestinian rights groups as “unacceptable”, which calls them to be revoked in the world’s indignation against the American decision.
Friday, Turk praised the work of non-governmental organizations (NGO) targeted by the United States For their cooperation with the International Criminal Court – Al -Haq, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights.
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“For decades now, these NGOs have been carrying out vital human rights work, in particular in matters of responsibility for human rights violations,” he said.
“I urge the US government to immediately withdraw these sanctions.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had appointed Palestinian groups for sanctions on Thursday, blocking their assets and prohibiting American citizens from engaging in financial transactions with them.
“These entities were directly involved in the efforts of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate, stop, hold or prosecute Israeli nationals, without the consent of Israel,” Rubio said in a statement.
He also promised to continue to “respond with important and tangible consequences” to efforts to continue Israeli officials of the ICC.
This decision is part of a broader campaign of the administration of American president Donald Trump to penalize criticism of Israel at home and around the world.
In recent months, Washington has imposed sanctions on several judges and civil servants of the ICC, as well as on the Francesca Albanian rapporteur, for having asked for the responsibility of the abuses of Israel.
Last year, the ICC issued arrest mandates against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Yoav Gallant Defense Minister for war crimes in Gaza, in particular using famine as a weapon of war.
The United States, under the president of the time, Joe Biden, quickly rejected the accusations, arguing that Israel was not a party to the law of Rome which established the ICC.
But the court affirmed its jurisdiction on alleged war crimes in Gaza because they occurred in the state of Palestine, who had joined the court in 2015.
Rubio reiterated the American position in its announcement on Thursday.
“This administration has been clear: the United States and Israel are not part of the law of Rome and are therefore not subject to the CPI authority,” said the best American diplomat.
For its part, the UN Turk has declared that the US move encourages impunity and encourages “a continuous climate of commission of international violations and crimes”.
“Such attacks on NGOs working to promote respect for human rights are directly recognized for compliance with the rule of law and other values that the United States has long defended and promoted,” he said. “Sanctions will have a frightening effect not only on civil society in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, but potentially on a global scale.”
Earlier Friday, a coalition of Palestinian and Israeli rights groups, including B’tselem, published a statement supporting targeted NGOs.
“We are in full solidarity with our colleagues and partners working for human rights between the Jordan river and the Mediterranean Sea, and especially in the face of the genocide that Israel commits in the Gaza Strip,” said groups.