US allows payments to the International Criminal Court for the first time

The US Treasury Department has issued a general license that allows certain transactions related to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This means US individuals and entities can now legally engage in activities that support the ICC, which was previously restricted by sanctions.

For years, US sanctions made it difficult for American citizens and organizations to interact with the International Criminal Court, even for humanitarian or legal support. This change removes a legal barrier, allowing US-based lawyers, human rights groups, and other organizations to provide assistance or engage with the court without fear of violating sanctions. It signals a shift in the US government's stance towards the ICC, moving from outright opposition to a more permissive, if still cautious, engagement.