The Foundation Sunflowers has joined other civil society organisations in signing a joint statement calling on the European Commission to activate the EU Blocking Statute to protect the International Criminal Court (ICC) from the effects of U.S. sanctions.

 

The statement highlights that the European Union already has a legal mechanism — Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96, known as the Blocking Statute — which can prevent the extraterritorial effects of certain foreign sanctions within the EU. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the U.S. sanctions against the ICC to be included in the Regulation’s Annex.

 

The initiative, led by No Peace Without Justice and Eumans, calls on European institutions and citizens to take action in defence of the ICC, its officials and organisations supporting its work.

 

By signing the statement, Sunflowers reaffirms its support for the independence of international justice mechanisms and for the effective pursuit of accountability for international crimes.