Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the European Union to take urgent action to counter the threat of US sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

In a letter addressed to EU foreign ministers, HRW emphasized the existential threat the sanctions would pose to the ICC and urged the bloc to activate its Blocking Statute to counteract their effects.

The appeal comes as the US government moves closer to implementing measures aimed at penalizing the ICC for investigations involving US citizens or allies. Earlier in January, the US advanced legislation to censure the ICC for what it deems "unwarranted targeting of Israel."

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act would penalize anybody who works to investigate, arrest, jail, or punish American individuals or officials from ally US countries or entities, and "Israel".

According to the letter, the bill, which was initially introduced on January 8, is expected to undergo consideration throughout the current week. HRW also warned that incoming president Donald Trump could "issue executive orders to establish a sanctions regime targeting the ICC," rendering the court's role as a last resort to investigate the most serious crimes futile. 

To counter the threat, HRW urged the EU to invoke its Blocking Statute—a legal mechanism designed to shield European entities from the extraterritorial effects of foreign sanctions. The statute, according to HRW, could play a pivotal role in safeguarding the ICC’s operations and ensuring its independence.

The statute "can provide essential protection to the ICC by contributing to mitigate the impact of sanctions from the United States while sending a strong message that the EU and its members will not tolerate efforts to undermine the court," the letter stated.

HRW also stressed the importance of continued public support for the ICC by EU governments, calling on them to voice their opposition to US sanctions and communicate this position clearly to Washington. The organization noted that delays in activating the Blocking Statute could further jeopardize the ICC’s ability to deliver justice in ongoing cases.