on 6 May 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s called for the European Union to activate its Blocking Statute in response to U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). This call is not merely a diplomatic gesture; rather, it constitutes a legal mechanism that may be employed to shield the ICC from U.S. sanctions and to uphold the rule of law. It may also be regarded as a genuine test of Europe’s credibility as a defender of international law.

Sánchez called for sanctioning those who uphold international justice threatens “the entire human rights system,” and Europe “cannot stand idly by” in the face of such pressure.”

Slovenia has joined the call of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urging the European Union to shield the ICC from sanctions, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen the global system of justice in response to grave crimes.

The Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob, stated on his X account as follows: “Europe’s response so far has not matched the gravity of the situation. We need to act now because fundamental European values cannot carry a price tag. The independence of international courts is non-negotiable,”

The Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob, stated on his X account as follows: “Europe’s response so far has not matched the gravity of the situation. We need to act now because fundamental European values cannot carry a price tag. The independence of international courts is non-negotiable,”

In 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the ICC officials—including judges and prosecutors—in response to investigations related to the situation in Palestine and the ICC’s........

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