Zagreb, Mar 3 (EFE). – Slovenia called on Friday for a stronger response from the European Union to the sanctions imposed by the United States in June 2025 on International Criminal Court judges, including Slovenian Justice Beti Hohler.
In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and EU heads of state and government, the Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar and Prime Minister Robert Golob denounced the “severe and immediate” consequences of the US sanctions and criticized the tepid European response.
“Europe’s response so far has not matched the gravity of the situation. Too often, concern for economic consequences has taken precedence over a principled defence of judicial independence and international justice,” the letter stated.
The letter emphasized the pressure endured by the ICC judges, pointing out that the consequences of US sanctions are “severe and immediate”, as “travel is restricted, bank accounts closed, credit cards cancelled, financial transactions blocked, even by some European banks. Health insurance reimbursements (remain) unpaid. Visas revoked and assets frozen.”
The Slovenian head of state and government defended the international institutions established after World War II and urged the European Union and its leaders to support them.
“We need to act now, because fundamental European values cannot carry a price tag. The moment they do, we know from our own history where that leads. There is no longstanding peace without justice. We need to stand together and speak with one voice, clearly and without hesitation,” the letter pointed out.
The independence of international courts is non-negotiable. Future generations will ask whether we acted when international justice and the rule of law were threatened. History will judge how we responded. We intend to be on the right side of it,” the statement added. EFE
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