US President Donald Trump has called on countries belonging to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to withdraw from the institution, accusing it of operating beyond its authority.
Trump made the call on Tuesday while addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he criticised the court and urged its member states to formally leave.
He said the United States would not accept the authority of an institution he described as having no jurisdiction over American citizens or US service members.
Trump also warned that Washington would not permit its personnel or others to be subjected to investigations or proceedings by the ICC.
The latest criticism adds to the Trump administration’s opposition to the court. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously pledged to dismantle the institution, describing it as a threat to US sovereignty.
The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of some of the world’s most serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Washington has imposed sanctions on ICC officials following the court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close US ally.
The United States is not a member of the ICC and has never ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. Israel, Russia and China are also outside the ICC’s membership.
