U.S President Donald Trump has affirmed America’s strong opposition to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
While criticising the ICC, Trump called it an “out-of-control institution”, urging countries that are members of the court to withdraw “immediately.”
Addressing the high-level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 22, he said the United States would not allow its military personnel to be investigated or tried by the ICC.
He stressed that ICC court has no jurisdiction over the United States.
“The United States is equally opposed to the out-of-control institution known as the International Criminal Court (ICC). We will never allow US servicemen to be investigated or given sheer trial by an anti-American tribunal with no jurisdiction over us,” Trump stated.
He urged ICC member states to “officially resign” from the institution, describing it as a “rogue institution.”
Trump also accused the ICC and international human rights officials of unfairly targeting the United States over its domestic policies, including immigration enforcement and policies concerning transgender minors.
His comments reflect the longstanding US opposition to the ICC exercising jurisdiction over US nationals without US consent.
