UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an institution, his spokesman said Friday.
"The secretary-general is deeply alarmed by the expected impact of today's sanctions on the International Criminal Court as a whole, and in particular, its continued ability to perform its important mandates, including in relation to the situations referred to it by the Security Council and states parties to the Rome Statute," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman.
"Today's decision marks a serious blow to our collective pursuit of international criminal justice, of which the ICC is a key pillar. Accountability for international crimes and delivery of justice to victims are central to our global commitment to peace, security, human rights and fundamental freedoms," said the spokesman.
He said the secretary-general reiterated his unwavering support for the independence of the ICC and its officials, adding that Guterres called on all states to uphold their commitments under international law and to support efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
The United Nations remains committed to cooperating with the ICC, said Dujarric. ■
