US President Joe Biden overturns another decision by the Donald Trump administration. Biden overrules restrictions on two officers of the International Criminal Court.
US President Joe Biden continues to end several policies of the Donald Trump administration. Following migrant law, climate change and a return to the WHO, Biden has also overturned Trump's decision that imposed restrictions on two officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Trump's order was seen as an aggressive decision targeting international institutions and officials.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the US is still completely disagreeing with some of the court's actions. This permanent body at The Hague in the Netherlands has the responsibility of handling cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The US is not involved in nearly 120 member countries of the court.
Blinken said, "However, we believe that our concern about these matters will be addressed through diplomacy and not by prohibitions." The lifting of sanctions is an indication that the Biden administration intends to return to multilateral institutions. The Trump administration had lifted the US from many international institutions and agreements and severely criticized many others, including the ICC.
The Trump administration had alleged that these institutions had many flaws and were working against American interests. Sylvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, chair of the member nations' management body in the court, said that the removal of sanctions by the US would help advance a law-based international system.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.