Dozens of countries expressed their “unwavering support” for the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, a day after US President Donald Trump authorised potentially far-reaching economic and travel sanctions against the Court’s staff, Reuters reports.

“The Court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims.”
The 79 signatories came from all parts of the world, but make up only about two-thirds of the 125 member states of the permanent Court for the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression.
Among the countries who agreed to the statement were France, Germany and Britain. Among those absent were Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy.
Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, had earlier on Friday made it clear he supported Trump’s move, which coincided with a visit to Washington by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC over the war in Gaza.