U.S. to impose visa bans on International Criminal Court personnel: Pompeo

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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-icc/u-s-to-impose-visa-bans-on-international-criminal-court-personnel-pompeo-idUSKCN1QW1VT

The Trump administration in September said that if the court launched a probe of war crimes in Afghanistan, it would consider banning ICC judges and prosecutors from entering the United States, sanctioning funds they have there and prosecuting them in U.S. courts.

Washington took the first step on Friday with Pompeo’s announcement.

“I’m announcing a policy of U.S. visa restrictions on those individuals directly responsible for any ICC investigation of U.S. personnel,” Pompeo told a news conference in Washington.

Lashing out like a toddler will lead to blowback when we need the world’s aid. Our actions are our own undoing.

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Facing hurdles from U.S., war crimes judges reject Afghan probe

The decision, which prosecutor Fatou Bensouda may appeal, angered human rights groups and means that the Taliban, the Afghan government and the United States will not face any investigation at the ICC for their alleged crimes, which dated mostly from 2003-04.

U.S. President Donald Trump called the decision “a major international victory,” and denounced the international court for its “broad, unaccountable, prosecutorial powers,” as well as for what he considers its threat to American sovereignty.

“Any attempt to target American, Israeli or allied personnel for prosecution will be met with a swift and vigorous response,” Trump said.

White House National Security Advisor John Bolton, a sharp critic of the ICC, called the ruling a “vindication” of the U.S.’ tough policy against the court that he has engineered and a “stinging defeat” for the prosecutors.

It is increasingly evident that the international system is deteriorating. So long for Bretton-Woods, say hello to a worldwide breakdown.