Greece and Cyprus are among the 79 UN member states that signed a joint declaration issued on Friday confirming their strong support of the International Criminal Court's (ICC) independence, impartiality, and integrity following the sanctions imposed on it by United States President Donald Trump.
The initiative for the declaration was taken by Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Sierra Leone, and Vanuatu.
In the declaration, the 79 signatories condemn the measures imposing asset freezes and travel bans against ICC officials, staff and family members, and partnering agencies, as "such actions threaten the ability of the Court to fulfil its mission in the framework of the Treaty of Rome."
The sanctions, the statement said, increase the danger of impunity for serious global crimes, undermine the rule of law, and jeopardize the safety of victims, witnesses, and ICC staff. In addition, they could lead to the shutting down of ICC field offices, obstructing continuing inspections.
The signatory countries expressed their commitment to protect ICC's ability to function effectively and independently. They underlined the ICC's critical role in promoting justice, accountability, and human rights globally, calling for continuing support in order to safeguard its unobstructed operation against any effort to undermine it.