BREAKING: ACLJ Fights for US Soldiers Under Attack at International Criminal Court

Breaking news: We’ve taken on the biggest international case in the ACLJ’s history as we fight for the rights of American soldiers at the International Criminal Court.

On today’s Jay Sekulow Live we discussed the ACLJ’s upcoming arguments before the International Criminal Court, advocating for the rights of United States soldiers and intelligence operatives.

The highest level of the International Criminal Court is the Appeals Chamber. The ACLJ has appeared before the ICC before, but never before the Appeals Chamber.

This case is all about the ICC Office of the Prosecutor seeking to assert jurisdiction for potential international criminal investigations against U.S. soldiers and members of the intelligence community. It is important to note that, the United States is not even a member of nor does it recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC.

The key danger here is the ICC push for jurisdiction over U.S. soldiers when they are engaged abroad, especially when they are engaged in conflicts in a state that is a member of the ICC.

However, even though the United States is not a member of the ICC, the ACLJ will be there defending American soldiers from attack. Next month my dad and I will be presenting an oral argument before the ICC Appeals Chamber at the Hague.

The prosecutor essentially wants the authority to be able to treat the United States like the Taliban.

The long term effect is that if the ICC prosecutor is afforded jurisdiction, American service members could be targeted abroad. There could be a warrant against someone and they wouldn’t even know it. That idea is completely unjust.

In the United States we have a full military system of justice, as well as a civilian one. That is one reason why the U.S. is not a part of the ICC and doesn’t recognize its authority. No country in the history of the world has ever self-policed itself like the United States has done and continues to do.

The ACLJ, as best we can tell, is the only organization before the ICC that is representing and advocating for the U.S. military and intelligence community that the ICC does not have jurisdiction on this matter.

ACLJ Director of Government Affairs Thann Bennett described the situation:

In this way it is very similar to the situation at the U.N. Human Rights Council where the United States is not a member, and rightfully so. We continue to advocate so that the voice of the United States and its interests are represented. The magnitude of the issue is much greater when it comes to the International Criminal Court. Having spent years in these international chambers and tribunals, often the most effective time to come against efforts to expand jurisdiction is right now, right at the outset before a foothold is gained from which these attacks, in this case on U.S. soldiers, can be gained. These tribunals are always trying to get additional jurisdiction, especially as it comes to the United States.

This is a matching challenge month.  That means that whatever amount you donate to the ACLJ in the month of November will be doubled. If you donate $15 to the ACLJ, that will be $30. $5 will be $10.

A month from today we’ll be appearing at the ICC and have the resources to do so thanks to you and others.

Stand with us as we fight for American Soldiers.

You can listen to the entire episode here.