US officials have long regarded the Netherlands-based ICC with hostility, arguing that American courts are capable of handling any allegations against US forces.
International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has been investigating alleged war crimes by all parties in the conflict in Afghanistan since November 2017, including the possible role of U.S. personnel in relation to the detention of suspects.
In this regard, the United States has revoked the entry visa of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda. Her office said on Thursday, a response to her inquiry into possible war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
The Hague-based court, the first global tribunal for war crimes, issued a statement saying it would continue to operate “undeterred” by the US action.
“The court is an independent and impartial judicial institution crucial for ensuring accountability for the gravest crimes under international law,” the statement said.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last month the U.S. would withdraw or deny visas to ICC staff investigating such allegations against U.S. forces or their allies .
“The ICC is attacking America’s rule of law,” Pompeo told reporters in Washington. The US has never joined the ICC, where a prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, asked judges in November 2017 to initiate an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Afghan national security forces, Taliban and Haqqani network fighters, as well as US forces and intelligence officials in Afghanistan since May 2003.
The prosecution’s request said there is information that members of the US military and intelligence agencies “committed acts of torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, rape and sexual violence against conflict-related detainees in Afghanistan and other locations, principally in the 2003-2004 period”.
Judges are reviewing all material submitted by the prosecutor, and must decide whether to authorise an investigation.
The Palestinians have also asked the court to bring cases against Israel.