Judge Beti Hohler

Judge Beti Hohler was speaking at an event hosted by Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI), an NGO working internationally to strengthen justice systems and advance institutional reform.

The judge, who herself has been sanctioned by the United States, noted that she and her colleagues now face both US economic restrictions and arrest warrants issued by the Russian Federation.

These measures follow ICC investigations into alleged war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan, arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, and the court’s pursuit of Russian officials.

Judge Hohler said: “The recent attacks on the International Criminal Court are an example of a particularly grave and unprecedented challenge. They are aimed directly at the court’s independence.

“Yet, ICC judges find ourselves targeted by some of the very states that gave birth to international criminal law in Nuremberg 80 years ago.

“The judges are subjected to unilateral extraterritorial economic sanctions from the US administration and arrest warrants from the Russian Federation.

“These attacks are not just political statements; they have real-life implications for us and our family members. They represent a challenge for the court, but they also underline the court’s enduring relevance and importance of its mandate.”

She also warned that weakening international courts will have wider consequences.

“When international courts and organisations are weakened, the erosion of international law will inevitably trickle down to the national level, weakening the rule of law for all,” she said.

She closed with a call for solidarity among the global legal community: “No lawyer or judge is an island. Defending the rule of law requires solidarity and collaboration.

“Cross-border networks help resist attempts to isolate or silence legal professionals. Solidarity strengthens resilience.”

Irish Rule of Law International was established by the Law Society of Ireland and the Bar Council of Ireland in 2007, with the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland joining as partners in 2015.