Oslo, 10 October (H.S.):

South African jurist and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has strongly criticised the recent US sanctions imposed in connection with the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing them as “unprecedented and unacceptable”. She warned that sanctioning judges for issuing judicial orders raises serious concerns about the very survival of the international justice system.

Addressing an event organised at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo via video link, Pillay said tensions and concerns persisted over the future of international courts, particularly the ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands. She stressed that imposing sanctions on judges for issuing judicial orders was an action that could not be accepted.

Pillay also expressed concern over the potential impact of such measures on the independence of international judicial institutions and their ability to discharge their responsibilities without interference. Her remarks come amid continuing international debate over US sanctions targeting the ICC and its officials.

Navi Pillay is a prominent South African jurist who previously served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She has played a significant role in matters concerning international justice and the rule of law. In her address, Pillay underscored the importance of ensuring that international courts are able to function independently and carry out their judicial duties free from external pressure.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar