America’s Complicity in Injustice: ICC Sanctions and the Erosion of Moral Leadership. 美国的不公正同谋：国际刑事法院的制裁和道德领导力的侵蚀。

（下边有中文翻译请继续看到底。 谢谢。）

The international community finds itself at a critical juncture, as questions about justice, accountability, and human dignity collide with geopolitical interests. In the latest development, the United States has imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the Court’s issuance of arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and its ongoing investigation into alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, responded with a firm and principled statement, calling on the U.S. to reverse the sanctions. He warned that “attacks against judges” are antithetical to “respect for the rule of law and the equal protection of the law – values for which the U.S. has long stood.” Sadly, this appeal seems to fall on deaf ears.

The sanctioned judges—Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia—are accomplished jurists with deep records in the pursuit of justice. These sanctions block any property or assets they may hold in the U.S. and require financial institutions to report dealings to the U.S. Treasury. The International Criminal Court condemned these actions as “a clear attempt to undermine” its independence.

A Disturbing Pattern of Impunity

These sanctions are not isolated. They are part of a broader trend in which the U.S. has consistently shielded Israel from accountability, even amid growing global outrage over its military conduct in Gaza. From unflinching military support to repeated vetoes in the United Nations Security Council, the U.S. has often positioned itself as Israel’s chief defender—regardless of the legal and moral implications.

Most strikingly, the U.S. has used its veto power to block multiple Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Even close allies such as France, the United Kingdom, and Japan have either opposed these vetoes or abstained from voting. The cost of this political maneuvering is paid not in diplomacy, but in human lives—civilians in Gaza, including women and children, who continue to endure famine, displacement, and bombardment.

The U.S. has also given unqualified support to Israel’s controversial 2017 decision to move its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This unilateral move, widely condemned internationally, undermined decades of diplomatic efforts and the prospect of a two-state solution. In the General Assembly, 128 countries voted against the U.S. decision, a global rebuke that should have been a moment of reflection in Washington.

Enabling Atrocities

It is not an exaggeration to say that the United States is increasingly seen as a partner—if not an enabler—in the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. Billions in U.S. military aid to Israel have supported operations that many human rights organizations describe as disproportionate and indiscriminate, potentially amounting to war crimes and even genocide.

In May 2025, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing “reasonable grounds” that they bear responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, though Hamas later confirmed his death in an airstrike.

Both Israel and Hamas deny the allegations, but the ICC’s willingness to investigate all sides reflects its commitment to impartial justice. The U.S., however, views these efforts as “illegitimate,” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing the Court of “politicization” and “abuse of power.”

Such accusations ring hollow. The ICC operates under the Rome Statute, ratified by 124 countries, and intervenes only when national jurisdictions fail to act. By sanctioning ICC judges—especially women judges of color who represent global legal diversity—the U.S. is not protecting sovereignty; it is protecting impunity.

Eroding America’s Global Image

The consequences for America’s reputation are severe. Once regarded as a global leader in promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the U.S. is increasingly perceived as a country willing to bend legal norms for political convenience. The message these actions send is clear: when international justice challenges our allies or our interests, we will undermine it.

This duplicity has not gone unnoticed. In the Global South, where nations have long struggled to be heard in international forums, the perception of double standards is fueling disillusionment. Many countries now see U.S. policy as an obstacle to justice rather than a guarantor of it.

America’s credibility has been further damaged by its hostility toward the ICC’s investigation into U.S. conduct in Afghanistan. In 2020, then-President Trump imposed sanctions on ICC prosecutors, including Karim Khan, for pursuing these investigations. Those sanctions were later lifted by the Biden administration, only to be replaced now with renewed measures under the current leadership.

These shifting policies not only reflect inconsistency but also a dangerous precedent: that powerful nations can threaten judges to avoid accountability. This is not leadership—it is intimidation.

A Moral and Strategic Failure

America’s defense of Israel at all costs is not only morally questionable—it is strategically short-sighted. As images of starving children, bombed hospitals, and mass graves in Gaza circulate globally, the U.S. risks long-term alienation from younger generations, emerging nations, and even its own allies.

Supporting Israel does not require endorsing every action it takes. True friendship means encouraging restraint, legality, and respect for human dignity. Instead, the U.S. has chosen to shield even the most egregious violations, thereby tying its own legacy to the suffering of innocent civilians.

This is not just a foreign policy failure. It is a failure of conscience.

A Call to Action

At this critical juncture, the world must not remain passive. The international community, civil society, religious leaders, and institutions of justice must speak out clearly and unequivocally. What is at stake is not just the fate of Palestinians or the credibility of the ICC—it is the future of global justice itself.

We must urgently call for:

The immediate withdrawal of U.S. sanctions on ICC judges, restoring respect for judicial independence.

An immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza to prevent further loss of life.

Full access for humanitarian aid organizations to alleviate famine and displacement.

Support for the ICC and all international institutions committed to justice and accountability.

An end to all forms of impunity, regardless of who the perpetrator is.

The Time for Moral Courage

The U.S. has a choice to make. It can continue down a path of moral compromise and political expediency, or it can reclaim its role as a principled global leader that upholds justice even when it is difficult. The recent sanctions on ICC judges, the blanket support for Israel’s military operations, and the repeated vetoes of peace initiatives have placed America on the wrong side of history.

These actions not only betray the victims of conflict—they betray the very ideals upon which the United States was founded. The world is watching. History is recording. And the moral cost of silence will be too high to bear.

Let us act—before the black spot of complicity becomes permanent.

国际社会发现自己正处于一个关键时刻，因为有关正义、责任和人类尊严的问题与地缘政治利益发生冲突。在最新的事态发展中，美国对国际刑事法院（ICC）的四名法官实施了制裁，此前国际刑事法院对以色列高级领导人发出了逮捕令，并正在对美国在阿富汗的战争罪行进行调查。

联合国人权事务高级专员沃尔克·托尔克（Volker t, rk）发表了坚定而有原则的声明，呼吁美国撤销制裁。他警告说，“对法官的攻击”与“对法治的尊重和对法律的平等保护——这是美国长期坚持的价值观”是对立的。遗憾的是，这一呼吁似乎被置若罔闻。

被批准的法官——乌干达的索洛米•巴隆吉•博萨、秘鲁的卢兹•德尔•卡门Ibáñez卡兰萨、贝宁的莱因•阿德莱德、索菲•阿拉皮尼•甘苏和斯洛文尼亚的贝蒂•霍勒——都是有成就的法学家，在追求正义方面有着深厚的记录。这些制裁措施封锁了他们可能在美国持有的任何财产或资产，并要求金融机构向美国财政部报告交易情况。国际刑事法院谴责这些行为是“明显企图破坏”其独立性。

令人不安的有罪不罚模式

这些制裁不是孤立的。这是一种更广泛的趋势的一部分，即美国一直保护以色列免于承担责任，即使在全球对以色列在加沙的军事行为日益愤怒的情况下。从坚定的军事支持到联合国安理会的一再否决，美国经常将自己定位为以色列的主要捍卫者，而不顾法律和道德方面的影响。

最引人注目的是，美国曾多次动用否决权阻止安理会通过呼吁以巴停火的决议。即使是法国、英国和日本等亲密盟友也反对这些否决权或投了弃权票。这种政治手段的代价不是在外交上，而是在人的生命上——加沙的平民，包括妇女和儿童，继续忍受饥荒、流离失所和轰炸。

这一单边行动受到国际社会的广泛谴责，破坏了数十年来的外交努力和两国解决方案的前景。在联合国大会上，128个国家投票反对美国的决定，这一全球性的谴责本应成为华盛顿反思的时刻。

启用的暴行

毫不夸张地说，在加沙的人道主义灾难中，美国越来越被视为一个伙伴——如果不是推动者的话。许多人权组织称，美国向以色列提供的数十亿美元军事援助支持的行动不成比例、不分青红皂白，可能构成战争罪甚至种族灭绝。

2025年5月，国际刑事法院对以色列总理本雅明·内塔尼亚胡和前国防部长约阿夫·加兰特发出逮捕令，理由是他们有“合理理由”对加沙冲突中的战争罪和反人类罪负有责任。对哈马斯军事首领穆罕默德·德伊夫（Mohammed Deif）也发出了逮捕令，不过哈马斯后来证实他在空袭中死亡。

以色列和哈马斯都否认这些指控，但国际刑事法院愿意调查各方，这反映了它对公正司法的承诺。然而，美国认为这些努力是“非法的”，国务卿马可·卢比奥指责法院“政治化”和“滥用权力”。

这样的指责听起来很空洞。国际刑事法院根据得到124个国家批准的《罗马规约》（Rome Statute）运作，只有在国家司法部门未能采取行动时才进行干预。通过制裁国际刑事法院的法官——尤其是代表全球法律多样性的有色人种女法官——美国并不是在保护主权；这是在保护有罪不罚。

侵蚀美国的全球形象

这对美国声誉的影响是严重的。美国曾被视为推动民主、人权和法治的全球领袖，但现在越来越多的人认为，美国是一个愿意为了政治便利而扭曲法律规范的国家。这一行动的信息很明确：当国际正义挑战我们的盟友或利益时，我们将破坏它。

这种口是心非并非无人注意。在全球南方，各国长期以来一直努力在国际论坛上发表意见，双重标准的看法助长了幻灭。许多国家现在将美国的政策视为实现正义的障碍，而不是保证。

美国对国际刑事法院调查美国在阿富汗行为的敌意进一步损害了美国的信誉。2020年，当时的总统特朗普对包括卡里姆·汗在内的国际刑事法院检察官实施了制裁，以进行这些调查。这些制裁后来被拜登政府取消，但现在在现任领导下又被新的制裁所取代。

这些不断变化的政策不仅反映了前后矛盾，而且还开创了一个危险的先例：强国可以通过威胁法官来逃避问责。这不是领导，这是恐吓。

道德和战略上的失败

美国不惜一切代价保护以色列不仅在道德上有问题，在战略上也是短视的。随着饥饿的儿童、被轰炸的医院和加沙乱葬坑的图像在全球传播，美国面临着与年轻一代、新兴国家甚至其盟友长期疏远的风险。

支持以色列并不需要赞同它采取的每一项行动。真正的友谊意味着鼓励克制、守法和尊重人的尊严。相反，美国选择包庇最恶劣的侵犯行为，从而将其遗产与无辜平民的痛苦联系在一起。

这不仅仅是外交政策的失败。这是良心的缺失。

行动呼吁

在这一关键时刻，世界绝不能保持被动。国际社会、民间社会、宗教领袖和司法机构必须明确和毫不含糊地发出声音。利害攸关的不仅仅是巴勒斯坦人的命运或国际刑事法院的信誉——而是全球正义本身的未来。

我们必须紧急呼吁：

美国立即撤销对国际刑事法院法官的制裁，恢复了对司法独立的尊重。

在加沙立即无条件停火，以防止进一步的生命损失。

允许人道主义援助组织全面进入，以缓解饥荒和流离失所。

支持国际刑事法院和所有致力于司法和问责制的国际机构。

结束一切形式的有罪不罚现象，不论肇事者是谁。

是时候展现道德勇气了

美国必须做出选择。它可以继续在道德妥协和政治权宜之计的道路上走下去，也可以重新扮演一个有原则的全球领导者的角色，即使在困难的时候也要维护正义。最近对国际刑事法院法官的制裁，对以色列军事行动的全面支持，以及对和平倡议的一再否决，使美国站在了历史错误的一边。

这些行为不仅背叛了冲突的受害者，而且也背叛了美国赖以建立的理想。全世界都在关注。历史被记录了下来。而沉默的道德代价太高，我们无法承受。

让我们行动起来——在共谋的黑点成为永久的黑点之前。

(  注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)

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