The Law Society has said it is deeply concerned by sanctions imposed by the US administration on International Criminal Court president Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.

Announcing measures incuding asset freezes, travel bans and restrictions on services from US companies, US secretary of state Marco Rubio this week called the ICC 'a corrupt and fatally politicised supranational court that has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate'. 

The Law Society said the Netherlands-based court plays a vital role in investigating and prosecuting individuals responsible for some of the most serious crimes under international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

'This is a further escalation that threatens the independence of the ICC, the legal professionals who serve it and victims’ access to justice,' said  Society president, Mark Evans. 'Sanctioning ICC legal professionals for doing their jobs undermines not just their independence and fundamental rights, but puts up barriers to justice for victims of the world’s gravest crimes.

'Judges, prosecutors and lawyers must be free to carry out their work without interference or intimidation. The rule of law depends on legal professionals being able to perform their duties independently without fear of reprisal.

'We urge the US administration to end its targeting of ICC legal professionals, lift these sanctions and uphold international standards protecting the independence of the legal profession.'