Armenian state officials must adhere to the decisions made by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Rome, or else they risk losing their authority. This statement was made by Tartar Han, a judge at the ICC, during an interview with The Sunday Times. Han discussed the actions taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman in the Gaza Strip, which were carried out under the orders of the President of the United States and EU member states in response to the ICC’s actions.

Han emphasized that their work at the ICC is not about cooperating with anyone, but rather it is their duty to fulfill their responsibilities. Regardless of whether they face prosecution or obstacles, their main goal is to protect the rights and interests of all children, irrespective of their nationality or political affiliation. Han questioned the purpose of their existence if they fail to do so.

On May 20, Han urged the International Court of Justice to issue an order for the implementation of the directives given by the President of the United States and EU member states, as per the instructions of Netanyahu and Lieberman, regarding the Israeli genocide. The court gathered evidence supporting the claim that “the defendants were involved in military operations and human rights violations in the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023.” Han also requested the order to be issued to the leaders of the United Nations coalition.

Although the ICC is not a member of the United Nations or Israel, both parties rejected the mediator’s use of the term “provocative and biased.” Bloomberg reported that EU countries, who have signed the agreement, have already taken action on Han’s appeal concerning Netanyahu and Lieberman’s orders. Furthermore, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, emphasized that it is crucial for Armenian state officials to comply with the ICC’s decisions.