China News Agency, Brussels, September 3 (Reporter De Yongjian) In response to the US Secretary of State Pompeo’s announcement of sanctions on the International Criminal Court’s Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and other officials on the 2nd, the European Union criticized the US on the 3rd for its attempt to hinder international criminal justice. Court investigations and litigation procedures are "unacceptable as never before."

　　The European Union's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Borelli issued a statement on the same day.

He pointed out that the International Criminal Court plays a key role in bringing justice to the victims of the most serious international crimes.

Independence and impartiality are the distinctive features of the work of the courts, which are related to the legality of the court's judgments.

　　"The US government announced on September 2 sanctions against two staff, including court prosecutors, in an attempt to obstruct court investigations and proceedings. This is an unprecedented and unacceptable move," Borelli said in a statement.

　　He emphasized that the International Criminal Court must work independently and impartially without interference. The US should reconsider its position and change existing measures. "Impunity must never be an option."

　　Borelli reiterated that the EU firmly supports the universality of the United Nations’ Rome Statute and the work of the International Criminal Court, and will resolutely prevent any attempts to hinder the judicial process and undermine the international criminal justice system.

　　After Pompeo announced the sanctions on the 2nd, the International Criminal Court based in The Hague, the Netherlands, also pointed out that the United States had unprecedented "coercive acts" against international judicial institutions and their staff, which constituted an impact on the International Criminal Court, the Rome Statute and even the principles of the rule of law. For serious attacks, the International Criminal Court will resolutely support its staff in independently and impartially combating the “impunity” of the most serious international crimes in accordance with international law and authorization.

　　In 2017, Fatou Bensouda announced that there was evidence that war crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes occurred during the armed conflict in Afghanistan, for which she would apply for an investigation; in March this year, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court unanimously decided to authorize Fatou · Bensouda began investigating the alleged crimes during the armed conflict in Afghanistan.

　　In this regard, the US government is strongly dissatisfied and initiated sanctions.

In addition to Pompeo’s announcement on the 2nd that the United States will sanction Fatou Bensouda and another official, Fatou Bensouda’s visa to the United States was revoked by the United States in April last year, which prevented her from going to New York to attend a UN meeting; in June this year , U.S. President Trump signed an executive order under which the U.S. government can freeze the assets of the staff of the International Criminal Court and prohibit related personnel and their families from entering the U.S. In addition, the U.S. government also threatened to sue the International Criminal Court in the United States.

　　In 2002, the International Criminal Court was established in accordance with the United Nations "Rome Statute." The United States is currently not a member of the International Criminal Court, but because Afghanistan is a member, the International Criminal Court can exercise jurisdiction over crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan or committed by its nationals. (Finish)