The United States has imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move that has drawn strong condemnation from the European Union. The European Commission stated on Friday that it "deeply regrets" the US decision and voiced its full support for the Hague-based court.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the ICC's crucial role, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "The ICC holds perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes to account and gives victims a voice. It must be free to act without pressure." Echoing this sentiment, Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper added, "We deeply regret the decision to impose sanctions on four additional individuals. We will provide the full support and contribution to ensure the protection of the court and its staff."

Further underscoring the EU's unified position, European Council chief Antonio Costa highlighted the EU's support for the ICC. He asserted that the court "does not stand against nations -- it stands against impunity." Costa stressed the importance of safeguarding the ICC's independence and integrity, writing on X, "We must protect its independence and integrity. The rule of law must prevail over the rule of power."

The sanctions, imposed by the US on Thursday, are reportedly linked in part to an ICC arrest warrant issued last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Two of the judges targeted by the US sanctions, Beti Hohler of Slovenia and Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin, were involved in the proceedings that led to this warrant.

The other two judges sanctioned by the United States are Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru and Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda. These judges were part of court proceedings that led to the authorization of an investigation into allegations that US forces committed war crimes during the war in Afghanistan.

This development comes as Washington reportedly ramps up its efforts to influence or "neuter" the court. It is noteworthy that neither the United States nor Israel are signatories to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC in 2002. The court was created to prosecute individuals for the world's gravest crimes when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.

The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, also strongly condemned the US sanctions. On Friday, Turk demanded that the United States lift the sanctions, stating he was "profoundly disturbed by the decision." He called for the "prompt reconsideration and withdrawal of these latest measures."

Volker Turk elaborated on the detrimental impact of such actions, asserting, "Attacks against judges for performance of their judicial functions, at national or international levels, run directly counter to respect for the rule of law and the equal protection of the law -- values for which the US has long stood." He added that "Such attacks are deeply corrosive of good governance and the due administration of justice."