Human Rights Watch called on International Criminal Court member countries to protect the institution from attacks as they gather at The Hague for their annual meeting. The group pointed out how various governments have been trying to kneecap the court through sanctions and threats, with the US hitting ICC officials with asset freezes and travel bans that could mess up their funding. Hungary straight up refused to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he showed up, and then pulled out of the court entirely alongside Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.
The court still managed some wins despite all the drama. The Philippines grabbed former president Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity charges, and judges convicted militia leaders from the Central African Republic and Sudan for war crimes. Russia went full revenge mode by issuing counter-warrants against ICC staff after Putin himself got charged, and hackers hit the court's systems again.
The court still managed some wins despite all the drama. The Philippines grabbed former president Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity charges, and judges convicted militia leaders from the Central African Republic and Sudan for war crimes. Russia went full revenge mode by issuing counter-warrants against ICC staff after Putin himself got charged, and hackers hit the court's systems again.
