Rep. Omar Statement on Rubio ICC Announcement

WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement in response to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement on his intent to dismantle the International Criminal Court:

“Secretary Rubio’s announcement that he will dismantle the International Criminal Court is reckless and dangerous. It undermines the rule of law, weakens global accountability, and turns America's back on the values we claim to champion.

“The ICC is an independent international court created to ensure that perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes—genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity—cannot escape justice. 

“Secretary Rubio claims that the ICC poses ‘an intolerable threat to U.S. sovereignty’ and that American servicemembers could be prosecuted simply for serving our country. That is simply not true. The ICC is an international court of last resort, intended to prosecute only the most horrific crimes – war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity – when countries are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. The best way to avoid ICC scrutiny is simple: don't commit atrocity crimes, and if credible allegations arise, investigate them transparently and hold those responsible accountable.

“The United States should lead by example, not exempt itself from the standards it expects everyone else to follow. In 2022, I introduced a resolution calling on the United States to join the ICC because I believe America should stand with victims of atrocities, defend human rights, and strengthen the international rule of law. I will reintroduce that resolution in the coming days, and I urge my colleagues who believe in justice and human rights to join me.

“America is strongest when we lead with our values, not when we demand immunity from them. If we respect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and hold ourselves to the same standards we ask of others, we have nothing to fear from the ICC.”

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