Italy absent in ICC defense: failure to sign UN declaration raises concernsrituals in Europe 

Italy has decided not to sign the joint declaration presented by 79 UN member countries to condemn the sanctions announced by the Trump administration against the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. A document which saw the participation of almost all the main European countries, including Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain, but not Italy, which was notable for its absence.

The statement, promoted by Slovenia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Sierra Leone and Vanuatu, denounces US sanctions as an unprecedented attack on the Court, warning of the risk of impunity for the most serious international crimes. Such sanctions, in fact, could force the ICC to close some field offices, hindering the work of international investigation and justice.

The international context: criticism of President Donald Trump and the defense of the ICC

The move comes after President Donald Trump announced an executive order to impose financial and visa restrictions on staff at the International Criminal Court, which the United States accuses of interfering with its sovereignty. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has strongly condemned the sanctions, declaring: "The ICC ensures accountability for international crimes and gives voice to victims around the world. It must be able to continue its fight against global impunity."

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, also underlined the importance of the Court, calling the sanctions a “serious attack on international law” and an attempt to undermine the independence of international justice.

Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Representative on Judicial Independence, reiterated the value of the ICC as the heir to the Nuremberg justice system, necessary to prevent war crimes and crimes against humanity from going unpunished.

The Almasri case and Italy's absence

On the Italian front, the failure to sign the declaration was met with harsh criticism from the political opposition and European institutionsThe choice of the Meloni government not to adhere to the declaration seems to be part of a climate of growing tension between Rome and the Court of The Hague.

At the center of the controversy in the Italian national context is the case of Osama Almasri Najim, a Libyan general accused of torture and crimes against humanity, recently released by the Italian authorities. The handling of the case has generated strong criticism, both nationally and internationally, with representatives of the 5 Star Movement and the Democratic Party asking the government for explanations.

The president of the International Criminal Court, Tomoko Akane, has called the US sanctions a targeted attack to weaken the Court's ability to administer justice, while the The Italian government has not yet provided an official explanation for its failure to join to the United Nations document.

Future perspectives

The Almasri case will soon be at the centre of a debate in the European Parliament, while the Sudanese David Yambio, victim of torture blamed on Libyan general, will hold press conferencetogether with the chairman of the subcommittee on Human Rights, Mounir Satouri. The ICC, meanwhile, has started a series of meetings with the European Union leaders to obtain concrete support and counter the effects of extraterritorial sanctions imposed by the United States.

The situation remains tense and evolving. Italy's absence from the joint statement could fuel further controversy over the government's role in upholding international law.