Story perspectives

U.S. Sanctions ICC President Tomoko Akane, Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye

8/20/2026

Left

U.S. sanctions ICC

The United States sanctioned International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on August 18, 2026.
Human-rights groups say the sanctions undermine the rule of law and deny victims a path to justice.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced asset freezes, travel bans and transaction restrictions effective September 17.
Human Rights Watch and three rights groups sued, saying the sanctions block victims from justice.

Right

Rubio sanctions ICC

The United States imposed sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on August 18, 2026.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions defend U.S. sovereignty against a non-consensual ICC he called a sham run by globalist bureaucrats.
The Declaration of Independence was cited, saying Americans will never be tried abroad for crimes.
Rubio claimed the ICC tried to investigate U.S. officials without American consent.

Center

U.S. sanctions ICC

The United States sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
The administration said the sanctions invoke Executive Order 14203, targeting officials who helped ICC investigations of individuals from non-consenting governments.
The Treasury placed Akane and Seye on the Specially Designated Nationals list, freezing U.S. assets.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen disapproved of sanctions and invited Akane to discuss court support.

Blindspot

Human Rights Watch and three other U.S. rights groups filed a lawsuit asserting that the sanctions impede victims of genocide and war crimes from obtaining justice.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center- and Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

After the United States revoked ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s visa in April 2019, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 13928 in June 2020, designating Bensouda and ICC official Phakiso Mochochoko as specially-designated nationals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s July 2026 op-ed echoed that precedent, pledging a diplomatic push to dismantle the Court and warning of further sanctions.

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U.S. sanctions ICC

The United States sanctioned International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on August 18, 2026.
Human-rights groups say the sanctions undermine the rule of law and deny victims a path to justice.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced asset freezes, travel bans and transaction restrictions effective September 17.
Human Rights Watch and three rights groups sued, saying the sanctions block victims from justice.

1 / 5