Matthew Whitaker urges NATO allies to help the United States systematically dismantle the International Criminal Court

The United States administration announced a campaign to systematically dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) and requested that NATO allies take immediate steps to withdraw from the Rome Statute. During a closed-door meeting in Brussels in mid-July, Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. envoy to NATO, asked the 32 member states to help end the court's "overreach of authority" and cease all material support for it.

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The administration expressed concern that the court's authority infringes on U.S. sovereignty and that American officials could face war crimes prosecutions. The push against the ICC was launched this summer by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that the court and its friends are waging a war against the country through international law. While most NATO members except the U.S. and Turkey are members of the court, France and the Netherlands signaled their opposition to the U.S. demand, expressing their unwavering support for the institution. The State Department warned it would increase scrutiny of nations that refuse to reject the court's authority while continuing to rely on U.S. assistance.

Sources

• politico.eu
  US pressures NATO allies to destroy International Criminal Court
• The Jerusalem Post
  US calls for NATO allies to withdraw from Rome Statute, 'systematically dismantle' ICC - report

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• AP News
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• The Japan Times
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