European Leaders Defend ICC After Trump Calls for Countries to Leave

European leaders have defended the International Criminal Court after President Donald Trump called on countries to leave the institution, as the US administration intensified its criticism of the Hague-based court, Tiago Ventura reported for Time.

European leaders defend the International Criminal Court during the UN General Assembly after President Donald Trump called for countries to leave the institution.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed support for the ICC during his address to the UN General Assembly, saying Ireland opposed efforts to undermine the court.

He also called for accountability for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten likewise defended the court, saying institutions that uphold the international legal order should be protected. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would not follow Trump's call to leave the ICC.

Trump had urged countries to leave the ICC, calling it “evil” and a “rogue institution.”

The United States and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. The Rome Statute currently has 125 states parties. Reuters reported that Nauru was the only country to follow Trump's call to leave the court during the UN General Assembly week.

That does not necessarily mean Nauru formally endorsed all of Trump's arguments against the ICC. European Council President António Costa also said the European Union stood firmly behind the ICC.