European Council President António Costa has reaffirmed the European Union’s support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the bloc will defend the court’s independence, integrity and ability to carry out its mandate.
Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Costa stressed the importance of upholding international law and protecting the institutions responsible for enforcing it.
“Upholding international law is not optional. It is our responsibility,” Costa said, specifically highlighting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the ICC.
“We stand firmly behind them and will uphold their independence, their integrity and their ability to fully exercise their mandate,” he added.
Costa also condemned threats and attacks against the ICC, its officials and staff, saying accountability should not depend on political considerations.
“Accountability cannot depend on political convenience,” he said.
Although Costa did not directly mention the United States or President Donald Trump in this part of his speech, his remarks came amid renewed pressure from Washington on the ICC. Reuters reported this week that the Trump administration was preparing potential sanctions targeting the court as an institution, following earlier U.S. measures against individual ICC judges and prosecutors.
Trump also criticized the ICC during his address to the UN General Assembly on September 22, calling on countries that are members of the court to withdraw.
Costa’s remarks form part of the EU’s broader emphasis at this year’s UN General Assembly on multilateralism, international law and the protection of international institutions. The European Council has said the EU intends to continue supporting a rules-based multilateral system rooted in the UN Charter and international law.
